A note about this project
Network'43 ran in 2011 – a time when social media was widely viewed as a positive tool for civic empowerment – the era of the Arab Spring, when live, networked storytelling had a sense of democratic potential.
Today, the online world is very different and we see real conflicts unfold on our screens in devastating detail.
Some projects belong to the moment that made them possible. This is one of them. It would not be a project for today.
Network '43
A historical Twitter drama to mark Remembrance Day in the UK in 2011
CONTEXT
History heard first hand is never forgotten
It makes history feel more real. But sadly the wartime generation are growing older, with fewer chances for young people to hear these stories.
So I instigated a project
Stories from wartime London
told on Twitter
Four characters were created
Their lives constructed from real stories and historically accurate events
We trawled through stacks of historical records from various partners, constructed the stories from interviews, diaries and Firemens' records, and integrated real photos and film as if posted in real time. The stories were based on real experiences and followed the major events that happen at the time e.g. bombs correct down to time and location.
The story ran for three weeks
And covered all aspects of daily life including rationing, makeshift schooling, war jobs, returning soldiers, bombing raids, nights in shelters and the emotional toll it all took.
Outcomes
People from 80+ countries
followed the stories across the three weeks
Widespread coverage
Covered by the BBC, ITV, The Telegraph and The Times
Used in schools across the world
teachers were tuning in with their students
Support from Department of Education
Network '43 was used as a case study in DoE whitepaper, and we received congratulations from Michael Gove
Winner of a Shorty Award
"Best use of Twitter"
"Congratulations, this is brilliant tool for teaching history to today's generation"
Michael Gove, Education Secretary
"Their tweets and the way their stories played out was addictive"
Kristine Montgomery, Museum Educator, Canada
"My students absolutely loved it. We followed the stories every day in the classroom"
Claire Fitzgerald, Teacher, Canada
"It has an immediacy that reflects what it's like living through the Blitz"
Ian, Radio caller
"It's beautifully researched, historically I can't fault it"
Richard, Radio caller
"I have to say that I think it's definitely the best and most interesting use of social media I've ever seen."
Kate Belfrage, Australia