By Neve Meats This series of blog posts will zoom in on a snapshot of everyday life in Britain over the previous four decades (1980s-2010s) as recounted through Mass Observation Project material. Beginning with this blog on the Spring 1988 ‘Clothing’ directive, each blog post will focus on a topic of everyday life covered byContinueContinue reading “Everyday life through the decades – Clothing in 1988 “
Author Archives: Mass Observation Archive
Review of ‘Worktown’ by Bill Hodson
Review by Ella Beales Bill Hodson’s Worktown is a fascinating work of historical fiction inspired by the Mass Observation project, established in Bolton in the late 1930s. The novel follows Tom Harrison, who realises that his anthropological work abroad means he knows more about people from distant countries than he does about ordinary British citizens.ContinueContinue reading “Review of ‘Worktown’ by Bill Hodson “
Review of ‘Landslide’ by Robert Garner
By Ella Beales Robert Garner’s Landslide is a partly fictionalised account of the 1945 General Election. This unconventional approach, known as creative non-fiction*, combines extensive historical research with the literary techniques of fiction. Whilst Garner uses dialogue, scene-setting, character development and a clear narrative arc, Landslide remains grounded in historical evidence. He explicitly acknowledges anyContinueContinue reading “Review of ‘Landslide’ by Robert Garner”
Work Experience with MO
By Alice I had the oppotunity to take part in work experience between the 6th-10th of July at The Keep in the Mass Observation archive. During the week I was able to gain an insight into how a purpose built archival centre works, and especially how it is used for public reasearch. Before working atContinueContinue reading “Work Experience with MO”
Mass Observing the Pandemic, Five Years On
By Henry Parish May 2025 saw the Mass Observation Project gather information about how British everyday life had been impacted by Covid-19. Its panel of life writers were prompted to reflect on how aspects of their lives, from work, homelife and health, to attitudes towards technology and socialisation, had changed five years on from Covid.ContinueContinue reading “Mass Observing the Pandemic, Five Years On”
What was the big fashion controversy of 1947?
By Amy, placement student at Mass Observation In 1947, as Europe was recovering from the Second World War, there was uproar on both sides of the Atlantic. Was this a reaction to a political scandal? Was this caused by the economic fallout of the war? The answer may surprise you. Read on to find out how a post-war fashion controversy capturedContinueContinue reading “What was the big fashion controversy of 1947?”
Artist in residence: My placement with the Mass Observation Archive
By Keira Grant In 2024 I took an elective module during my undergraduate degree with the University of Sussex which hosted a session at The Keep with the Mass Observation Archive. This was my first introduction to archives, and it reignited an interest in history and culture I had not experience since my gruelling A-LevelContinueContinue reading “Artist in residence: My placement with the Mass Observation Archive”
Get Ready for Our National Diary Day!
Every year on the 12th May, MO asks people across the country to record their day. This might include what they did at work, what they ate, what they heard or watched, and whatever else they got up to. Anyone based in the UK can send us their diary, and we accept submissions both onlineContinueContinue reading “Get Ready for Our National Diary Day!”
The Spring 2026 Directive
For our most recent directive we have a combination of in-house topics and collaborations, covering a range of topics. Part 1: Seeking Asylum This is a commission by Dr Ellen Pilsworth and a research team at the University of Reading. Their 4-year research and public engagement project, Nation of Refuge, aims to understand and reimagine Britain’s relationship with refugees. ContinueContinue reading “The Spring 2026 Directive”
What does it mean to be queer every day?
Since 1937 Mass Observation has been recording the everyday thoughts, feelings and opinions of people in the UK. In 1982 the National Lesbian and Gay survey began, inspired by the work of MO, it sought to capture what everyday life was like for queer people living in the UK. This LGBTQ+ History Month, MO isContinueContinue reading “What does it mean to be queer every day?”