If you want to write a physical diary, or send us art you can (for free!) via this address:
Freepost RTGY-AYJE-YSSC
The Mass Observation Archive
The Keep
Woollards Way
Brighton BN1 9BP
If submitting online, you can use this form universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Our national diary day is getting closer! This year we are keen to hear thoughts and feelings about nature and wellbeing, in addition to the day to day. We accept handwritten and typed diaries, but also photography and sketches, or other creative approaches!
#diary #sketch #photography #journalling
A poster advertising a creative writing workshop. It includes writing prompt questions and information about the event.
What are your favourite songs? What memories do they bring up? This creative writing workshop, designed by students from @sussex.ac.uk, is going to be great! Not only will you get to see our materials but you'll also take part in some guided writing exercises and leave with your own keepsake!
We welcome diaries which are handwritten, but also creative diaries such as photo diaries or drawn or illustrated diaries. Find out more and see some examples here: massobs.org.uk/12th-may/
It’s nearly time for our national diary day! Every 12th May we ask people to write down what they got up to. This year we’re also really interested in experiences of nature and wellbeing, as well as what else you get up to on the day! #diary #journal #nature #skystorians #write #Archive
In her new article Tracey Loughran uses MO to see how
five women narrate their experiences fertility problems prior to development of IVF. It's a fascinating read! Find it here: academic.oup.com/shm/advance-...
You can read the full directive here: massobs.org.uk/pastdirectiv...
For part three we have collaborated with Emily Calcraft, a PhD researcher at @sheffielduni.bsky.social. Emily looks at the British pacifist movement between the World Wars. Her research focuses on peace activists’ attempts to change education in order to diminish the likelihood of war.
Part two is an in-house topic, 'Everyday Colour'. MO has long been interested in colour with its investigators attending an exhibition by the British Colour Council in 1944 titled ‘Colour in Everyday Life’. This event showcased new vibrant colours intended for post war domestic interiors.
Yesterday we sent out our latest directive! For Spring 2026 we have a combination of collaborative topics and in-house questions. Part one is a collaboration with Dr Ellen Pilsworth from @uniofreading.bsky.social, and is on 'Seeking Asylum', part of a 4-year research project, 'Nation of Refuge'.
Talks are: '‘A difficult act of description’: how do we write the history of changing feelings?', 'How did businesses look for opportunity in the paradox?', & 'All Bar None? Women’s Drinking and Pub Culture from the 1950s to the 1970s' #skystorians #academicsky #history #pubs #MarketResearch
We're excited for this online talk! We'll be hearing from Ben Highmore (Emeritus Professor of Cultural Studies, @sussex.ac.uk), Phyllis MacFarlane (Head of Content, @amsruk.bsky.social) & Stella Moss (Lecturer in Modern
British History, @royalholloway.bsky.social ). Book here: tinyurl.com/37sdd74x
New paper:
Mass Observing British Politics
On what Mass Observation might contribute to political studies (and what political studies might contribute to Mass Observation). With @jmoss88.bsky.social and Alex Hill. Also paging @massobsarchive.bsky.social
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
An advert for bananas? A man is photographed peeling, or as the advert states 'unzipping' a banana. The advert extolls the virtues of bananas as a snack accompanied by the tagline 'the foodiest fruit of all'
The banana, the foodiest fruit of all! Unzipp one today!
Whilst the AM platform is a paid for resource (do check with your local library to see if they have access) don't forget that all of our Covid-19 collection is publically available to view and download here: database.massobs.org.uk/projects_dat...
A screenshot of the mass observation project online resource
Something new has appeared on our AM Digital resource 🧐Instead of stopping at 2009, documents are now available up to 2019! 98 boxes of material went away to be digitised and are now available through the AM digital resource.
Thanks to @massobsarchive.bsky.social for hosting our University of Brighton students yesterday for LGBTQ History Month!
We heard abt their growing archive of everyday queer life in the UK, and saw loads of incredible historical materials 🏳️🌈
Thanks also to @ctsgbrighton.bsky.social for organising!
The MO team never goes anywhere without our health vests; they're recommended by medical professionals after all!
A muscular man in y-front trousers and a vest propels himself gleefully into the air as part of a 1950s illustrated advery for y-fronts.
Assuming we're all bringing this same energy to our Monday mornings?
A fantastic post from the Museum fo English Rural Life about one of our early writers. We're so pleased to see E.M. Barraud getting this recognition! Do give the article a read!
A huge thank you to everyone who has already sent us their diary of what they got up to on the 12th February for #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26! If you haven't sent us your diary and would like to, remember there's no deadline to send it to us! Just submit it online or pop it in the post whenever you can 😊
You can send us your diaries in the post (for free, don't buy a stamp!). Send them to us via this address:
Freepost RTGY-AYJE-YSSC
The Mass Observation Archive
The Keep
Woolards Way
Brighton
BN1 9BP
Or via our anonymous online form: universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Today is the day! Record your day and be part of recording queer lives and histories in the UK. Sketch, type, write, or photograph your day. Even if you think your day isn't very interesting we'd still love to have it in our collection! All types of days, boring or brilliant are welcome #LGBTplusHM
Ultimately we hope that the project will not only carry on the work of NLGS in collecting the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community, but we also hope it will provide the chance for everyday stories, hopes, thoughts and feelings to be part of the archive. More info > massobs.org.uk/queer-everyd... (4/4)
The second way you can get involved is by responding to our directive questions! These are inspired by questions asked by the National Lesbian and Gay survey in the 1990s and 2000s. Again, there's no set way to respond to these and you only have to respond to whatever you're interested in 🧵 (3/4)
You can write, type, email, collage or photograph your day! All diaries will be anonymised and can be posted to us for free via Freepost RTGY-AYJE-YSSC, The Mass Observation Archive, The Keep, Woolards Way, Brighton BN1 9BP or online : universityofsussex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... 🧵 (2/4)
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
Bolton: The Happiest Town on Earth? In the 1930s MO asked he people of Bolton "What is happiness to you and yours?". In this episode researchers knock on the doors of those who live in the same spot as the original correspondents, hearing their reflections on happiness
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
