267:
158:(known in Mass-Observation publications as "Worktown"), in order to "systematically... record human activity in this industrial town" (Madge & Harrisson, 1938:7) using a variety of observational methods. Meanwhile, Madge, from his London home, had started to form a group of fellow-poets, artists and film-makers under the name "Mass-Observation". The two teams began their collaboration in early 1937.
212:
In August 1939, Mass-Observation invited members of the public to record and send them a day-to-day account of their lives in the form of a diary. No special instructions were given to these diarists so they vary greatly in their style, content and length. 480 people responded to this invitation and
286:
and is used by students, academics, media researchers and the public for its unique collection of material on everyday life in
Britain. The project issues annual call-outs for day diaries on the 12th of May each year, echoing the initial call on 12th May 1937; anyone is welcome to submit a diary of
253:
Following the war, and the departure of project founders
Harrisson, Madge, and Jennings, research began to focus on the commercial habits of the country rather than the broader cultural research that characterised its first decade. This turn towards market research was formalised in 1949 when the
173:. Dissatisfied with the pronouncements of the newspapers as to the public mood, the project's founders initiated a nationwide effort to document the feelings of the populace about important current events by collecting
254:
project was incorporated as a private firm and, under new management, became registered as a market research limited company, Mass
Observation (UK) Limited. Eventually the firm was merged with the advertising agency
192:
was published in book form. The result tended to subvert the
Government's efforts at image-making. The principal editors were Humphrey Jennings and Charles Madge, with the help of T. O. Beachcroft, Julian Blackburn,
151:. Run on a shoestring budget with money from their own pockets and the occasional philanthropic contribution or book advance, the project relied primarily on its network of volunteer correspondents.
578:
Since the archive was moved and re-established at Sussex
University, a number of books based on the diaries commissioned by Mass-Observation in 1939 have been published. These include:
49:
Mass-Observation originally aimed to record everyday life in
Britain through a panel of around 500 untrained volunteer observers who either maintained diaries or replied to open-ended
1116:
266:
1111:
461:
A number of publications are also available from the
University of Sussex. The following selection of titles also gives some idea of the scope of Mass Observation's work:
182:
237:
changes. During the war, there were also a few cases of Mass-Observation (MO) doing research on commission for government authorities trying to shape recruiting and
746:
1131:
659:. A history of the Mass-Observation movement from a former Research Fellow at the Mass-Observation Archive, University of Sussex, UK (from back cover).
78:
1106:
238:
225:, Mass-Observation research was occasionally influential in shaping British public policy. In 1939 Mass-Observation publicly criticised the
229:
posters, which led to their being replaced with more appropriate ones. In addition, their study of saving habits was successfully used by
551:– The actual Mass-Observation survey was called Little Kinsey; the results were published in a book by Liz Stanley under the above title.
1126:
722:
656:
335:
162:
1136:
82:
1121:
791:
136:
903:
1028:
998:
664:
42:
project; originally the name of an organisation which ran from 1937 to the mid-1960s, and was revived in 1981 at the
994:"Space, text and selfhood: encounters with the personal computer in the mass observation project archive, 1991–2004"
226:
278:
A re-evaluation of the Mass-Observation archives led to a relaunch of the project in 1981. Today, housed at the
242:
597:
by Olivia
Cockett, ed. Robert Malcolmson. 2005 (Wilfrid Laurier University Press). 2008 (The History Press)
1101:
94:
1023:
993:
279:
258:'s UK research agency BMRB, to form MRB International, followed by a full merger in the early 1990s.
206:
148:
132:
43:
1072:
77:
230:
154:
Harrisson had set up his base in a working-class street in the northern
English industrial town of
740:
679:
291:
255:
144:
928:
283:
53:(known as directives). The organisation also paid investigators to anonymously record people's
728:
718:
663:
Findings of Mass-Observation have also played a large part in such works of social history as
652:
331:
303:
109:
1019:
840:
222:
124:
117:
86:
853:
327:
39:
245:, for example, employed Mass-Observation on commission for the Ministry of Information.
17:
1073:"Surveillance society: The Mass-Observation movement and the meaning of everyday life."
836:
621:, covering the years 1945–8. ed. Patricia and Robert Malcolmson, 2008 (Profile Books)
198:
194:
166:
113:
98:
50:
36:
61:
at work, on the street and at various public occasions, including public meetings and
1095:
1053:
1044:
771:
691:
505:
477:
436:
425:
282:, Mass-Observation continues to collect the thoughts of its panel of writers through
105:
101:
609:
ed. Richard Broad and Suzie
Fleming, 1981 (Falling Wall Press). 2006 (Profile Books)
140:
54:
878:
760:
324:
May the Twelfth, Mass-Observation Day-Surveys 1937, by over two hundred observers
1087:
Photography taken by Humphrey Spender for the Mass-Observation project in Bolton
1076:
299:
190:
May the Twelfth: Mass-Observation Day-Surveys 1937 by over two hundred observers
685:
538:
486:
234:
128:
732:
93:
The creators of the Mass-Observation project were three former students from
202:
178:
170:
121:
58:
589:
Our Hidden Lives, The Everyday Diaries of Forgotten Britain between 1945–48
639:
ed. Patricia Malcolmson and Robert Malcolmson 2009 (Dorset Record Society)
601:
We Are At War. The Diaries of Five Ordinary People in Extraordinary Times
559:
174:
66:
295:
715:
Worktown : the astonishing story of the birth of Mass-Observation
1045:
Private Battles: Our Intimate Diaries: How the War Almost Defeated Us
1024:"Mass observing the atom bomb: the emotional politics of August 1945"
519:
474:
155:
950:
527:
Researching women's lives: notes from visits to East Central Europe
265:
76:
62:
290:
The Mass-Observation archive of materials is currently housed in
1007:
Worktown: The Astonishing Story of the Birth of Mass-Observation
569:
467:
1086:
779:
555:
546:
1067:
625:
Our Longest Days - a People's History of the Second World War
776:
Genius Friend: G.B. Edwards and The Book of Ebenezer Le Page
585:
ed. Dorothy Sheridan. 1985 (Victor Gollancz). 2000 (Phoenix)
583:
Among You Taking Notes. The Wartime Diary of Naomi Mitchison
379:, London, Gollancz, 1943; reprinted Seven Dials Press, 1971.
633:
ed. Dorothy Sheridan 1990 (Heinemann). 2009 (Phoenix Press)
287:
their activity on this day either digitally or physically.
213:
their diaries are now held in the organisation's archive.
209:, director of the Tom Harrisson Mass-Observation archive.
637:
Dorset in Wartime: The Diary of Phyllis Walther 1941-1942
627:, an anthology ed. Sandra Koa Wing 2008 (Profile Books)
315:
Mass-Observation (Charles Madge & Tom Harrisson),
407:, London, John Murray/Advertising Service Guild, 1945
400:, London, John Murray/Advertising Service Guild, 1944
393:, London, John Murray/Advertising Service Guild, 1943
262:
Relaunch: The Mass Observation Project (1981–present)
1054:
Wartime Women: A Mass-Observation Anthology, 1937-45
971:
Mass Observation Archive publications 1974 onwards.
651:. Houndmills-Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. 2006.
532:
Mass-Observation: des 'capsules' de vie quotidienne
183:coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
761:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-23578168
613:Private Battles: How the War Almost Defeated Us
595:Love and War in London. A Woman's Diary 1939–42
494:Everyday use of social relaxants and stimulants
177:, overheard comments, and "man-in-the-street"
1117:History of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton
1048:, 2007 - from the Mass Observation collection
104:(who left Cambridge before graduating), poet
81:Cover of a book by Mass-Observation, showing
8:
322:Charles Madge & Humphrey Jennings, eds.
284:regular questionnaires (known as directives)
631:Wartime Women. A Mass Observation Anthology
319:(pamphlet), London, Frederick Muller, 1937.
27:United Kingdom social research organisation
1068:University of Sussex Mass Observation site
1032:, vol. 33, no. 2 (2019), pp. 208–225.
1002:, vol. 33, no. 3 (2019), pp. 293–312.
839:in "Seven", the Arts and Media section of
745:: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
1112:Demographic history of the United Kingdom
808:Mass Observation diaries. An introduction
695:, a TV movie based on Nella Last's diary.
112:. Collaborators included literary critic
1014:The Mass Observers: A History, 1937-1949
435:Mass-Observation (with illustrations by
424:Mass-Observation (with illustrations by
165:'s abdication in 1936 to marry divorcée
705:
274:, the IHR Centenary Festival, July 2022
738:
682:– a similar project undertaken in 2006
574:, Sue Harper and Vincent Porter (1995)
843:issue no 2,428 dated 23 December 2007
615:ed. Simon Garfield 2007 (Ebury press)
603:ed. Simon Garfield 2006 (Ebury press)
591:ed. Simon Garfield 2005 (Ebury Press)
351:, Harmondsworth, Penguin Books, 1939.
7:
522:: pointers to some British attitudes
358:, London, Chatto & Windus, 1940.
992:Baker, James, and David Geiringer,
512:Health, sickness and the work ethic
417:Mass-Observation (Herbert Wilcox),
347:Charles Madge & Tom Harrisson,
340:Charles Madge & Tom Harrisson,
270:The relaunched Mass-Observation at
904:"How to take part in the 12th May"
833:Deck the halls with bread and lard
649:Mass-Observation and Everyday Life
25:
1132:Organizations established in 1937
372:, Advertising Service Guild, 1941
365:, Advertising Service Guild, 1941
344:, London, Lindsay Drummond, 1938.
414:, London, Longmans, Green, 1947
201:. The 1987 reprint contains an
929:"The Mass Observation Archive"
443:, London, Naldrett Press, 1949
432:, London, Naldrett Press, 1949
412:Peace and the Public - A Study
188:Their first published report,
1:
1107:Culture of the United Kingdom
792:Rosemary Brown (spiritualist)
421:, London, Falcon press, 1949.
306:councils' historical record.
161:An important early focus was
1029:Contemporary British History
999:Contemporary British History
798:(1986, Bantam Press), p. 112
430:Meet Yourself at the Doctors
272:History Past, Present Future
542:, ed. Sean Day-Lewis (1989)
1153:
1127:Anthropology organizations
854:"Mass Observation Project"
405:Britain and her Birth Rate
759:Mass Observation on show
450:, London, Gollancz, 1961.
386:, London, Gollancz, 1943.
227:Ministry of Information's
564:ed. Tom Harrisson (1943)
457:, London, Collins, 1976.
455:Living through the Blitz
169:, and the succession of
18:Mass-Observation Archive
1051:Sheridan, Dorothy, ed.
537:One Day in the Life of
441:Meet Yourself on Sunday
1137:Social statistics data
717:. London. p. 39.
669:Queuing for Beginners.
377:The Pub and the People
275:
135:, spiritualist medium
90:
89:and flag-waving crowds
85:, radio news reporter
1042:Garfield, Simon, ed.
780:Blue Ormer Publishing
499:Gender and Nationhood
269:
120:and Michael Wickham,
80:
1122:University of Sussex
1083:, 11 September 2006.
951:"The Keep: About Us"
841:The Sunday Telegraph
713:Hall, David (2015).
514:, Helen Busby (2000)
419:Juvenile Delinquency
280:University of Sussex
44:University of Sussex
549:surveyed, 1949–1994
231:John Maynard Keynes
973:Nella Last’s Peace
908:www.massobs.org.uk
883:www.massobs.org.uk
858:www.massobs.org.uk
820:Nella Last's Peace
680:One Day in History
619:Nella Last’s Peace
558:and the People: A
410:Mass-Observation,
403:Mass-Observation,
396:Mass-Observation,
389:Mass-Observation,
382:Mass-Observation,
375:Mass-Observation,
368:Mass-Observation,
361:Mass-Observation,
356:War Begins at Home
354:Mass-Observation,
276:
256:J. Walter Thompson
197:, Stuart Legg and
181:on and around the
145:William Coldstream
91:
1020:Langhamer, Claire
796:Look Beyond Today
448:Britain Revisited
363:Clothes Rationing
342:First Year's Work
304:Brighton and Hove
110:Humphrey Jennings
16:(Redirected from
1144:
980:
977:Nella Last’s War
969:
963:
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751:
750:
744:
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710:
607:Nella Last's War
398:The Journey Home
317:Mass-Observation
223:Second World War
185:on 12 May 1937.
163:King Edward VIII
125:Julian Trevelyan
118:Humphrey Spender
116:, photographers
87:Richard Dimbleby
33:Mass-Observation
21:
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1142:
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1037:Primary sources
1012:Hinton, James.
989:
987:Further reading
984:
983:
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956:
954:
949:
948:
944:
934:
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931:. the keep.info
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712:
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707:
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676:
568:Weeping in the
504:Britain in the
453:Tom Harrisson,
446:Tom Harrisson,
370:Home Propaganda
328:Faber and Faber
312:
264:
251:
249:Decline and end
219:
143:, and painters
75:
40:social research
28:
23:
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1102:Public opinion
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1081:The New Yorker
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1062:External links
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953:. thekeep.info
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837:David Kynaston
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647:Hubble, Nick.
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394:
391:People's Homes
387:
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320:
311:
308:
263:
260:
250:
247:
239:war propaganda
218:
215:
199:Kathleen Raine
195:William Empson
167:Wallis Simpson
137:Rosemary Brown
114:William Empson
108:and filmmaker
99:anthropologist
83:King George VI
74:
71:
51:questionnaires
37:United Kingdom
26:
24:
14:
13:
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6:
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1005:Hall, David.
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978:
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692:Housewife, 49
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506:Falklands War
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478:Working Class
476:
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470:
469:
466:Attitudes to
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463:
462:
456:
452:
449:
445:
442:
438:
437:Ronald Searle
434:
431:
427:
426:Ronald Searle
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336:0-571-14872-7
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244:
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233:to argue for
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139:, journalist
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107:
106:Charles Madge
103:
102:Tom Harrisson
100:
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88:
84:
79:
72:
70:
68:
64:
60:
56:
52:
47:
45:
41:
38:
34:
30:
19:
1080:
1052:
1043:
1027:
1013:
1006:
997:
976:
972:
967:
955:. Retrieved
945:
933:. Retrieved
923:
911:. Retrieved
907:
898:
886:. Retrieved
882:
873:
861:. Retrieved
857:
848:
832:
827:
819:
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803:
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429:
418:
411:
404:
397:
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369:
362:
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348:
341:
323:
316:
310:Publications
289:
277:
271:
252:
220:
211:
207:David Pocock
189:
187:
160:
153:
141:Anne Symonds
133:G.B. Edwards
127:, novelists
92:
55:conversation
48:
32:
31:
29:
1077:Caleb Crain
518:Looking at
485:Children's
384:War Factory
300:East Sussex
221:During the
149:Graham Bell
1096:Categories
957:9 November
935:9 November
879:"12th May"
700:References
686:Nella Last
643:See also:
539:Television
487:Millennium
326:, London,
243:Mary Adams
235:tax policy
179:interviews
129:Inez Pearn
741:cite book
733:918792140
665:Joe Moran
203:afterword
175:anecdotes
171:George VI
122:collagist
95:Cambridge
67:religious
59:behaviour
913:22 March
888:22 March
863:22 March
831:Article
674:See also
560:Worktown
330:, 1937.
298:housing
292:The Keep
69:events.
63:sporting
1016:(2013).
975:p.304,
782:, 2015)
572:in 1950
489:Diaries
349:Britain
296:archive
73:Origins
1057:, 2000
1009:(2015)
979:p. vi.
731:
721:
655:
570:Cinema
520:Europe
475:Bolton
334:
217:Impact
156:Bolton
822:p.303
562:study
294:, an
35:is a
959:2014
937:2014
915:2023
890:2023
865:2023
747:link
729:OCLC
719:ISBN
653:ISBN
480:Life
468:AIDS
332:ISBN
302:and
147:and
131:and
65:and
57:and
1079:in
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810:p.1
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