JULES
EARTH

JULES
EARTH

JULES
EARTH

JULES
EARTH

Communities

Network 43

Communities

Network 43

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 is never forgotten when it's heard first hand

It makes history feel more real. But sadly the wartime generation are growing older, with fewer chances for young people to hear these stories.

| Part of the list of many schools my nan attended as an evacuee

| Part of the list of many schools my nan attended as an evacuee

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"

"Congratulations, this is brilliant tool for teaching history to today's generation"

"Congratulations, this is brilliant tool for teaching history to today's generation"

"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"

"Their tweets and the way their stories played out was addictive"

"Their tweets and the way their stories played out was addictive"

"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"

"My students absolutely loved it. We followed the stories every day in the classroom"

"My students absolutely loved it. We followed the stories every day in the classroom"

"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"

"It has an immediacy that reflects what it's like living through the Blitz"

"It has an immediacy that reflects what it's like living through the Blitz"

"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"

"It's beautifully researched, historically I can't fault it"

"It's beautifully researched, historically I can't fault it"

"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."

"I have to say that I think it's definitely the best and most interesting use of social media I've ever seen."

"I have to say that I think it's definitely the best and most interesting use of social media I've ever seen."

"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