Have you heard about our Covid-19 collection?
Here Kirsty introduces some of what we have in the collection! Stay tuned to find out more about how you can view the materials wherever you might be #archive #massobservation #diary #diarywriting
We often get asked the difference between MOA (Mass Observation Archive) and Mass Observation Project (MOP) 🤔
MOA refers to the materials created by the original team from the 1930s to the 1950s.
MOP refers to everything created after the project was revived in 1981. Since 1981 our focus has been on sending our Directives and collecting responses to these. We don’t use any paid investigators anymore!
The directive questions are chosen either by the MO team, for example, we always ask about elections and major world events but we also often repeat questions so we can see how responses change across time. Other questions are commissioned by researchers who are looking for qualitative data for their projects. You can find out a lot more about how to commission a question on our website!
We’ve asked all types of questions over the years. Chances are if you have a topic you’re researching (or just interested in!) we’ll have something on it!
Got any more questions? 🙋♀️ post them in the comment section below!
#massobservation #archive #everydaylife
Ever wondered what exactly is in the archive? What documents we have? We try to explain in 60 (ish) seconds some of what we hold in our early collections!
MO started as a social research organisation, with an interest in capturing everyday experiences and behaviours. All of the information the founders collated now forms ‘the Mass Observation archive’. We have directives and topic collections on so many different topics. Jazz? ☑️ opinions on wartime propaganda? ☑️ sexual behaviours? ☑️ if you can think of it we may well have it!
The documents can be accessed by visiting us at our home, The Keep, or via our online resource. Check with your library to see if they have access to ‘Mass Observation Online’! And if you’re ever struggling to find what you need the team are always happy to help, just drop us an email 👩💻
But, wait! Aren’t you still collecting and generating material?!
That’s right! Stay tuned for our next reel to learn more about Mass Observation’s later work, ‘Mass Observation Project’.
Can’t wait? Head to our website!
#massobservation #archive #everydaylife #diary #historyreels #history
Tomorrow is our national diary day!
We can’t wait to see what everyone gets up to and how they record their day. We’re especially interested in finding out more about everyday relationships to nature, our chosen theme for this year.
Every year we ask people up and down the country to record their day on the 12th May and be part of helping us record everyday life for future generations.
Diaries can be typed or handwritten but we also welcome creative responses to. Find out more about how to send us your diary via the link in our bio.
#massobservation #12thmay #diary #archive #naturevibes
These pictures come from Natalie, a PhD student in social anthropology at the University of Manchester, conducting 12-months ethnographic fieldwork in the tourist and entertainment industry in Blackpool!
Natalie is based in Blackpool, working across the Central & Revoe library to invite inhabitants of Blackpool to submit their stories to the MO archive
Mass Observation provides the first anthropological accounts of Blackpool, coming to Blackpool in the 1930's to conduct 'anthropology at home' for the first time.
While this approach was innovative, being conducted by middle class Londoners, it continued the exoticizing lens of the anthropology of the time.
Today, Blackpool is a town whose narratives still compete with louder narratives imposed upon it from outside.
Natalie will be keeping us updated on her work, and her promotion of the 12th May diary day!
#massobervation #diary #archive #socialhistory
Another beautiful diary we received as part of our national diary day last year!
Want to find out more about submitting a diary to us on the 12th May? Follow the link in our bio!
#diary #journal #journalinspiration #12thmay #massobservation
We’ve been looking back through photos of MO when it first arrived at @sussexuni . Here it is on the top floor of the library as the team began the process of making sure the documents were all boxed up!
#archive #massobservation #eya
As we get ready for 12th May 2026 we were reminded of this beautiful illustrated diary we received last year 📝 make sure you swipe through to see it all!
Whilst we love to see creative responses to our diary day, we welcome diaries in lots of different forms. If illustration isn’t for you, don’t worry! We’ll always be more than happy to accept typed or written diaries too 😊
You can find out more about our diary day via our website or via the link in our bio!
#massobservation #diary #diarywriting #journalinspiration #journal
We’ve got some wonderful events coming up! We’re especially looking forward to our annual workshop run by students from @sussexunimah ! The students always run some great creative activities whilst making use of our materials in exciting ways.
This year the students will be looking at photos, music and memory, using these as prompts for creative writing exercises. Tickets are free but limited so make sure to book yours via the link in our bio!
#archives #creativewriting
Sure, you might know the founders of MO collected hundreds of diaries during the Second World War, but did you also know they collected hundreds of dreams too? Here, Jessica looks at one from one of our most famous writers, Nella Last
#archive #dream #surrealism #archivesofinstagram
It’s nearly time for our national diary day!
Every year on the 12th May we ask people to write down what they got up to and how they felt about their day. This year we’re also really interested in experiences of nature and wellbeing. As ever, diaries can be written or typed or they could be creative submissions such as photographs or drawings.
Find out more about how to submit your diary via the link in our bio!
#massobservation #archivesofinstagram #archive #eya #everydaylife
The year is 2010, you’re at Glastonbury and you’ve just received your uni results over the phone. Your Facebook page is filled with photos of you going into town and your searching for a perfect profile picture.
On 15th April students from @sussexunimah will be using our materials on photos, music and memory to lead a creative writing workshop at The Keep. As well as viewing the materials and taking part in the workshop you’ll also get to take home your own keepsake!
Book your free spot via the link in our bio.
#massobservation #creativewriting #sussexuni #brightonevents
