Author Archives: Louise Masson

New Resource – Mass Observation Project, Part IV (2010s)

What is Mass Observation?

Launched in 1981 by the University of Sussex as a rebirth of the original 1937 Mass Observation, 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. 

This collection consists of the directives (questionnaires) sent out by Mass Observation between to different respondents. So replies or evidence contains diaries, letters, photographs and other personal type documents.

Functionality includes “Browse by Directive” or “Filter by Key Topics”

Additional part IV now added to our subscriptions and accessed via Library Search.

Check it out for a wide range of topics including political and social themes of the period, plus insights into everyday life. Great for research, dissertations and information about cultural and society.

Trial – Eighteenth Century Online Part III

Eighteenth Century Online Part III is now available as part of the trials we are offering in Semester 1.

The third installment of the Eighteenth Century Online (ECCO series) will equip researchers to analyse how a century of transformative ideas shaped our modern world. Scholars will find more essential material to trace revolutions in France, America, and Haiti; explore how the birth of the novel shaped literature and the rise of literacy; and understand the lasting impacts of European empires that imposed their control and culture on Indigenous peoples.

Further information about this section is available on the GALE website and via this flier.

This trial will end on the 5th of November 2026.

Please email feedback in terms of use, content and functionality and how it would fit with teaching and research you’re involved with to libengagement@ncl.ac.uk

Trial – Bloomsbury Visual Arts: Global Encyclopedia of Women in Architecture


Bloomsbury Visual Arts is an interdisciplinary hub designed for research and learning across design, art, architecture and related fields.

The Bloomsbury Global Encyclopedia of Women in Architecture 1960-2020 fills a void in architectural history, giving students, scholars and professional architects an authoritative reference to women architects and their work, and to key terms for gender and women’s rights in architecture.

With over 1,000 entries and 600 images across two volumes, the encyclopedia covers a key period in women’s history from 1960 to 2020 – from when women entered architecture schools in growing numbers, to the present day. Women now comprise half of all architecture students in many countries but students and scholars lack authoritative, globally connected histories of female forebears peers, and mentors. This encyclopedia introduces them to the notable and overlooked women of the global built world, unearthing hidden histories and founding a new field of historical scholarship.

Within a geographical and historical framework, key architects from over 135 countries are included in detailed biographical entries. Coverage includes an expanded field of women designers from related fields (urbanism, landscape, and interiors) plus an enlarged sphere of architectural practice including influential scholars, writers, and activists as well as key terms, themes, books, conferences and exhibitions.

Trial ends 31st December 2026

Please email feedback in terms of use, content and functionality and how it would fit with teaching and research you’re involved with to libengagement@ncl.ac.uk