Parallel Histories

Parallel Histories is an educational charity, registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.^[1] It promotes the teaching of controversial history in secondary schools through the use of a dual-narrative methodology.^[2][3][4] In 2024, it was chosen by The Guardian and The Observer, along with War Child and Médecins Sans Frontières, for the Guardian and Observer Charity Appeal.^[5][6]

History

Michael Davies and Julian Richer founded Parallel Histories in 2017.^[7][8][9] The genesis came from a school trip, led by Michael Davies, to Israel and the West Bank.^[10] With the support of a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Michael Davies developed the dual-narrative methodology for teaching controversial historical topics, drawing inspiration from Side by Side: Parallel Histories of Israel-Palestine, a book edited by Dan Bar-On, Sami Adwan and Eyal Naveh.^[11][12] Michael Davies and Julian Richer founded Parallel Histories to promote the use of the dual-narrative methodology in schools.^[13]

Michael Davies led Parallel Histories until his death in 2024.^[14][15][16] Bill Rammell, previously Minister of State for Higher Education and Vice-Chancellor for the University of Bedfordshire, succeeded as CEO.^[17][18]

In addition to its work in the United Kingdom, Parallel Histories began partnering with Virginia Tech in 2022 to bring its methodology to schools in the United States of America.^[19]

Activities

Parallel Histories publishes educational resources for teachers and students on controversial historical topics including the Israel-Palestine conflict,^[20][21][22] conflict in Northern Ireland,^[23][24] and controversial historical individuals.^[25][26]

Parallel Histories also runs debating workshops bringing together young people from different backgrounds to debate different perspectives on controversial history.^[27][28][29] It marks Good Relations Week in Northern Ireland through running debating workshops on the history of Northern Ireland in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.^{[30][31][32][33]}

Partnerships

Pearson partnered with Parallel Histories to encourage more schools to teach Middle East history.^[34] Together, they produced resources, using the dual-narrative methodology, for the GCSE and iGCSE qualifications.^[35][36]

Parallel Histories' partnerships to run programmes with schools include with: PwC;^[37] the Prince's Teaching Institute (PTI);^[38] Christ Church, the University of Oxford;^[39] the veterans' charity, Forward Assist; and the Naval Children's Charity. It also participated in the Erasmus+ programme with schools in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark.^[40][41]

Parallel Histories is a member of the Good Business Charter.^[42]