What do people believe about death and the afterlife? How does the British public imagine the monarchy and its role in British society and governance? How will the Covid-19 pandemic be remembered? What did it mean to people? How did it feel? In this series of publications, the words and writing of Mass Observers are usedContinueContinue reading “The Mass Observation Critical Series”
Author Archives: Mass Observation Archive
Researching MO: Mass Observation Covid-19 collection: What does it mean for researchers?
As we are now five years on from the first Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, we asked Justyna Robinson (“Mass Observing Covid-19” project academic advisor) how researchers can harness the knowledge presented in Covid-19 collection. The collection includes texts discussing life during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as rich metadata, which consists of biographic informationContinueContinue reading “Researching MO: Mass Observation Covid-19 collection: What does it mean for researchers?”
Researching MO: Royalty and Monarchy
Royalty and monarchy have always been of interest to Mass Observation. Indeed, it was the public debate surrounding King Edward’s relationship with Wallis Simpson that saw the formation of Mass Observation ‘It was the ‘cross-cutting of feeling through age, class, occupation and the silence of the Press till the crisis came, that helped the foundersContinueContinue reading “Researching MO: Royalty and Monarchy”
Mass Observation Books, 1937-1950
The material gathered by Mass Observation formed the basis for books published between 1937 and 1950. 1937 Mass Observation by Madge, C. & Harrisson, T.H., London: Frederick Muller Ltd.1937 May the Twelfth: Mass Observation Day Surveys by Jennings, H. & Madge, C. with Beachcroft, T.O., Blackburn, J., Empson, W., Legg, S. & Raine, K.London: FaberContinueContinue reading “Mass Observation Books, 1937-1950”
12th May 2025
Press Statement Mass Observation 12th May Day Diary Event In 2025 the Mass Observation Archive will be repeating its national call for day diaries, capturing the everyday lives, thoughts and feelings of people across the UK. This year we are celebrating creative communities. We are working with libraries, community groups and arts organisations to promoteContinueContinue reading “12th May 2025”
Researching MO: House and Home
In our new blog series ‘Researching MO’ we’ll be looking at different ways that MO material is used for research. Approaching the collection can sometimes be daunting, and the stories you’re looking for might not always be in the place you expect! This series will serve as a way in to the collection. Each postContinueContinue reading “Researching MO: House and Home”
Digitisation of Mass Observation Project material
Responses to Mass Observation Project Directives from 2010-2019 are currently away for digitisation and cannot be viewed in person at The Keep. The material will be unavailable until Summer 2025. Please contact Archive staff for more information or to arrange access to the responses which were sent to the Archive electronically via email. These responsesContinueContinue reading “Digitisation of Mass Observation Project material”
The Autumn 2024 Directive
Our most recent Directive was sent out to writers in November. The three themes that make up this directive are: Update on the Cost of Living Crisis Writers have been asked to provide an update about how the Cost of Living crisis is impacting them and those around them, following on from when they wereContinueContinue reading “The Autumn 2024 Directive”
Celebrating Family Histories with Mass Observation
Last week Mass Observation shared the words of Carl and Bobbie in a moving festive event. Carl Ward was an American Quartermaster who found himself stationed in Dunmow, Essex during WWII. Whilst there he bet Halcyon Elliott (although she was known as Bobbie by friends and family). Mass Observation is lucky enough to be theContinueContinue reading “Celebrating Family Histories with Mass Observation”
Opportunity: We’re looking for two Trustees!
Are you passionate about history, society, and making a difference? The Mass Observation Archive is looking for two dynamic, innovative, and dedicated younger trustees to join us! What is a trustee?‘Trustees are the volunteers who lead charities and decide how they are run. You may have heard them called board members or the board. TrusteeshipContinueContinue reading “Opportunity: We’re looking for two Trustees!”