Researchers at the University of Sussex have said they're looking forward to documenting this year's General Election as part of an 82-year-old national project. The team behind the "Mass Observation" archive has asked a nationwide team of hundreds of volunteers to write down everything that happens to them on polling day (Thursday, 12). They've also asked diary-keepers to add comments after the election results become known, before sending their records to the Mass Observation centre. Diaries and other records of today's experiences will then be collected for permanent storage at The Keep, which also houses the East Sussex county archive among other valuable collections. In requesting its volunteers to document election day, Mass Observation researchers said: "Two years since the last election, and a change of Prime Minister, the UK is off to the voting booth again. "We would like you to keep a day diary to be included in the archive. "Please write about your actions throughout the day from waking to sleeping. " "We hope to capture the mood of the British public on this day, so even if you do not vote, or have little interest in politics, please still keep a diary." Today's Mass Observation project is a reboot of the "Mass Observation Movement" that began collecting records of everyday life in Britain in 1937. Although its work declined to a halt in the 1960s, its records were carefully kept, and its observers' diaries have been credited with influencing occasional changes in government policy, including on tax and war-time propaganda posters. According to the current project's staff, its work was restarted in 1981 with hundreds of volunteers diary-keepers continuing to write about their lives in response to what the archive calls "Directives". All data is available for research. More Radio is continuously dedicated to providing a quality news service on-air and online, reporting local stories that matter across Sussex. If you enjoyed reading this story, then check out our home page at moreradio.online where you can find the latest from the county, along with features and competitions from our presenters, as well as listening to the station live. You can also sign up to our news alerts to receive updates on new stories. Simply click on the bell at the bottom right of the home page. This will then allow a pop-up which will ask if you would like to receive alerts. Press ‘allow’ and you’re all signed up! You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.
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