Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research

11/05/2026

In 1937 Mass Observation called for people from all parts of the UK to record everything they did from when they woke up in the morning to when they went to sleep at night on 12th May. Mass Observation revived the project in 2010 since then we’ve received thousands of day diaries, creating an invaluable resource of everyday life across the UK. The project continues to this day. Want to take part? Find out more below!

https://massobs.org.uk/12th-may/

12th May 2026
This year we are keen to hear about your thoughts and feelings about nature and wellbeing as well as anything else you would like to share about your day.

Our 12th May diary day is your chance to be part of recording everyday life. Sending us your dairy helps us record everyday life in the UK.

06/05/2026

Join the University of Sussex for a unique one-day symposium exploring the past, present and future of Sussex.
Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories (Friday 19 June, 9am–7pm, Fulton Building) brings together artists, scholars, land-workers and policymakers to share ideas on heritage, diversity and progressive futures.

The day features an exciting line-up of speakers including Dr Caroline Lucas, Anooshka Rawden, Alinah Azadeh and Sara Clifford, alongside creative workshops, performances, walks and exhibitions.
Highlights include:
Dance displays by Brighton Morris (first formed at the University in 1967) who promote an inclusive approach to tradition
‘Prehistoric Sussex on a Plate’, with ancient food grains;
Creative writing inspired by Neolithic ‘Whitehawk Woman’ and Knepp
Singing together to ‘re-sound The Long Man of Wilmington’
A walk to the students’ forest food garden via the campus rewilded patch.

Part of the Summer of Research 2026, this event offers a chance to engage with new perspectives on culture, environment and identity in Sussex.


Places are limited, so book your spot here:

Artists, story-tellers, scholars, land-workers, policy-makers investigate Sussex heritage diversity and the uses of the past for progressive futures.

06/04/2026

Finding the grave, name and last will of a Georgian woman: Life Writing research by our Associate Director Alexandra Loske published in the April 2026 issue of The Burlington Magazine:
Finding Miss Gartside: https://www.burlington.org.uk/current-issue

29/03/2026

Sussex Retold: Symposium on Sussex heritage diversity and progressive futures
Friday 19 June 9:00 until 19:00

University of Sussex Campus : Fulton Building
Speakers: Anooshka Rawden, Alinah Azadeh, Sara Clifford, Caroline Lucas, Libby Drew, Matthew Bird Charlie Cain
Part of the series: Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories

Artists, story-tellers, scholars, land-workers, policy-makers investigate Sussex heritage diversity and the uses of the past for progressive futures.

03/01/2026

DISCOVERING THE HISTORY OF OUR DOWNS

In December, the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership team were delighted to join the Unversity of Sussex' "Sussex Retold" project at The Keep Archives.

Following on from our shared oral history project, the team at Sussex found that many local farmers wanted to learn more about the history of the land they farm. The brilliant Sussex Retold team organised a special trip to The Keep, where many of East Sussex and Brighton and Hove's most important documents are stored. Here, farmers were taken on a guided tour amongst some 10 miles of shelving and learnt how to search the archives. The team had even pulled out documents relevant to the farms represented, with one farmer finding a letter written by his grandfather in the 1930s!
Anyone can access the incredible history stored at The Keep, check out their website to find out more about how to discover our shared history.
https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-for-life-history-and-life-writing-research/research/projects/sussex-retold

16/11/2025

On Tuesday, 18 November, our associate Alexandra Loske will give a talk on her journey through colour for the Lewes Literary Society. This will include her research into the lives of women in colour history, supported by the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research at School of Media, Arts and Humanities at University of Sussex
https://www.lewesliterarysociety.co.uk/
Tuesday 18 November in the Council Chamber at Lewes Town Hall (NOT at the usual venue All Saints Church). 7.30pm (doors 7pm)

31/10/2025

Call for contributions! Sussex Retold: Sounds, Sites, Stories, 19 June 2026 School of Media, Arts and Humanities at University of Sussex
We are seeking contributions for a conference investigating traditional arts, crafts, cultures and folk music in the Sussex region. Submission deadline 15 January 2026.

We seek contributions for a conference investigating traditional arts, crafts, cultures and folk music in the Sussex region. Deadline to apply 15 Jan.

04/10/2025

By way of Beachy Head: Re-telling Sussex sites in drawing, poetry and music
Wednesday 26 November 16:00 until 17:30
University of Sussex Campus
Speakers: Ed Hughes, Hope Wolf and Andrea Haslanger, with Margaretta Jolly
Part of the series Sussex Retold

Join us for original, moving and multi-media retellings of the Seven Sisters, South Downs and Beachy Head, iconic sites in need of thought.

17/09/2025

This evening (17 September 2025) in Hove, East Sussex: A (free) lecture by Alexandra Loske on the first women in western art history who published an illustrated book on colour. For the Regency Society of Brighton and Hove, coinciding with the COLOUR exhibition at Brighton Museums.
Georgian Colour: Finding Miss Gartside
(Research supported by the Centre for Life History and Life Writing Research at Sussex University.)

Alexandra Loske reveals her research on Mary Gartside to coincide with the Colour exhibition at the Royal Pavilion. The lecture by Hugh Pearman has been postponed.

16/09/2025

An exclusive talk by Alexandra Loske for RS: 'Georgian Colour: Finding Miss Gartside' 17 Sept, 7pm, Hove Club, Fourth Avenue, BN3 2PJ Free to all.