I am happy to let you know that following a successful trial, that ended last month, the Library has now purchased Mass Observation Project, 1981-2009 from AM Digital, which allows you to explore the history of Britain through three turbulent decades, written by those living through it.

You can access Mass Observation Project via the Digital Primary Source and Archive Collection guide or the Databases A-Z list. You will also soon be able to access it via DiscoverEd.

Mass Observation Project, 1981-2009 provides digital access to a unique life-writing archive, capturing the everyday experiences, thoughts and opinions of people living through the turbulent final decades of the 20th century and the advent of the 21st century.

Launched in 1981 by the University of Sussex as a rebirth of the original Mass Observation social research organisation (1937 to early 1950s), its founders’ aim was to document the social history of Britain by recruiting volunteers to write about their lives and opinions. Still growing, it is one of the most important sources available for qualitative social data in the UK.

You can find out more about the Mass Observation Project at http://www.massobs.org.uk/about/mass-observation-project.
The following essays and videos have been produced for Mass Observation Project by leading scholars in the field, and provide context for, and insights into, the digitised documents: Essays and Videos (UoE login required).

Mass Observation Project is made up of 3 modules covering the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, and the Library has purchased all 3 modules.

The Library already has access to Mass Observation Online (UoE login required) which is the archive of the original Mass Observation social research organisation and includes original manuscript and typescript papers created and collected by the Mass Observation organisation, as well as printed publications, photographs and interactive features.

You can access Mass Observation Project via the Digital Primary Source and Archive Collection guide or the Databases A-Z list. You will also soon be able to access it via DiscoverEd.

Access is only available to current students and staff at the University of Edinburgh.

Caroline Stirling – Academic Support Librarian for School of Social and Political Science