Author Archives: Mass Observation Archive

Reflecting on Recent History Through the Mass Observation Archive

Nick Clarke’s Everyday Life in the Covid-19 Pandemic and Jonathan Moss and Emily Robinson’s The Politics of Feeling in Brexit Britain This month, the Mass Observation Archive hosted a book launch for two newly pressed publications: ‘Everyday Life in the Covid-19 Pandemic’ by Nick Clarke (University of Southampton) and ‘The Politics of Feeling in BrexitContinueContinue reading “Reflecting on Recent History Through the Mass Observation Archive”

Teaching the History of Appeasement

Mass Observation materials feature in new resources for teaching the History of Appeasement. (Day Survey 793 – Female clerk, Northampton, 24 August 1938) Professor Julie. V. Gottlieb, Dept. of History, University of Sheffield in partnership with the Historical Association have explored new ways for introducing and teaching the history of appeasement in schools. The resourcesContinueContinue reading “Teaching the History of Appeasement”

Meet the Mass Observers

Interview with Clare, J7229 Ever since its inception Mass Observation has relied on volunteers writing down their thoughts, feelings and experiences to help record everyday life in Britain. Without our writers, our Mass Observers, Mass Observation simply doesn’t exist, especially in its current form. Yes! We are still going! In fact, there are currently 500ContinueContinue reading “Meet the Mass Observers”

Meet the Mass Observers

Interview with T5672 In this new series we’ll be sharing the stories of the people that make the Mass Observation’s project possible, our writers, also known as ‘Mass Observers’. The Mass Observers are volunteers who give their time to share their thoughts, feelings and opinions with the archive. Some writers contribute over decades and someContinueContinue reading “Meet the Mass Observers”

“I am not Interested in the Coronation”: Similarities and Dissimilarities in Mass Observation’s 12th May Diaries from 1937 and 2023

By Emily Calcraft Introduction On 12th May 1937 a Day Survey Respondent from Oldham stated: ‘I am not interested in the Coronation and regard all the fuss as artificial and irrational’. In May 2023, the Coronation of Charles III led to a media frenzy that stirred up the ‘culture wars’, between Royalists and Republicans; theContinueContinue reading ““I am not Interested in the Coronation”: Similarities and Dissimilarities in Mass Observation’s 12th May Diaries from 1937 and 2023”