Author Archives: Mass Observation Archive

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?”

The Autumn 2025 Directive

This is our last directive of the year, so we’d like to take this opportunity to thank our writers for their contributions and support this year. The archive would not be what it is without their input! We are incredibly grateful for the time and energy they give to Mass Observation.  We’ve got three fascinating topicsContinueContinue reading “The Autumn 2025 Directive”

Event: Documenting disruption: Everyday life during times of war

MO is thrilled to be part of a collaborative event with Verian Group, ‘Documenting disruption: Everyday life during times of war’. The event will be hosted by Philippa Edward, Global CEO, Verian and will feature talks from Professor Lucy Noakes and Yves Fradier, Director of Survey and Methods (Verian). You can see an outline of theirContinueContinue reading “Event: Documenting disruption: Everyday life during times of war”

What do you think about your hands?

Our Summer 2025 directive has launched! For this directive MO has teamed up with researchers from The Morgan Centre to collaborate of three directive topics. We hope to collaborate with the centre in the future, repeating topics around the body, objects and spaces. In this directive we’ve asked writers to respond to questions about hands,ContinueContinue reading “What do you think about your hands?”

Find us on Bookshop.org!

Mass Observation is now a Bookshop.org affiliate! That means that you can now easily shop for books about Mass Observation whilst also supporting local, independent bookstores. We often get asked what books have been written either about Mass Observation, or using Mass Observation material. Now you’ll be able to easily see and buy the latestContinueContinue reading “Find us on Bookshop.org!”