Explore life in Britain at the beginning of the new millennium with AM’s latest collection
Mass Observation Project: 1980-2009 explores the history of Britain through three turbulent decades. Just published, the final module captures the experiences, thoughts, and opinions of everyday people in the Noughties.
From responses to the events of September 11th and growing environmental concerns, to the impact of technology and the changing means of communication that came with the new millennium, this module provides valuable insight written by those living through it.
We’ve seen how the modern Mass Observation Project material has become increasingly popular with researchers, echoing trends toward a broader interest in the history of the late twentieth and early twenty-first century. The directives, or questionnaires, within this module and the wider collection cover a broad range of topics from family life and the home to politics and terrorism and offer fascinating views into the lives, thoughts, experiences, and opinions of Britons at the start of the 21st century.
The complete Mass Observation Project 1981-2009 collection includes substantial metadata making it easy for researchers of all levels to locate relevant content. Printed and typed documents within the collection are full text searchable and the handwritten responses benefit from the application of Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR), offering excellent opportunities for students and researchers at all levels.
If you’re interested in the social, cultural and emotional pulse of Britain at the end of the twentieth century, Mass Observation Project is the obvious place to look; it is an extraordinary resource.
Launched in 1981 by the University of Sussex as a rebirth of the original 1937 Mass Observation, the aim of the Mass Observation Project was to document the social history of Britain by recruiting volunteers to write about their lives and opinions. Still growing, it is widely recognised as one of the most important sources available for qualitative social data in the UK.
To find out more about Mass Observation Project, or to request a free trial, visit the product page here: www.amdigital.co.uk/primary-sources/mass-observation-project
Recent posts
Look back to the 2010s with the next decade of material gathered by Mass Observation, based at The Keep at the University of Sussex. This unique material continues to provide access to rare, first-hand accounts supporting subject-led research, information literacy instruction, and interdisciplinary teaching.
Martha Fogg, AM's Managing Director, shares insights into strategic priorities amidst evolving research and teaching landscapes. Her interview with Against the Grain addresses equitable access to primary sources, classroom applications, and our global partnerships.