Parallel Histories offers a new way to study the history of conflict – history which is still contested, controversial and relevant. Our teaching methodology challenges students to examine the source evidence and debate alternative interpretations before coming to their own view. These are skills which prepare young people to become active citizens in healthy pluralistic democracies.
We are open to all schools, and we particularly welcome schools whose students come from areas with high levels of economic and social disadvantage.
Editorial team
Michael Davies
Co-founder and Editor
Parallel Histories stems from my own past, both my childhood and more recently my experience as a high school history teacher over nearly twenty years.
Julian Richer
Co-founder
My initial interest was in seeing the Israel Palestine conflict taught well - I think it’s really important that controversial topics should be tackled in the classroom - but as time has gone on I can see the need and benefits of using this dual narrative approach to many other controversial topics. We need to teach our school students how to think not what to think.
Jonathan Powell
Patron
As a history graduate from both British and American universities and because of my work on conflict, I am delighted to be a Patron of Parallel Histories, because I too believe in the importance of asking communities in conflict to acknowledge each other’s historical narratives, without letting the past poison the future, and in the importance of robust but respectful dialogue.
Joshua Hillis
Deputy Editor
I became interested in learning about why people think the way they do about the past as a history student. Parallel Histories’ emphasis on teaching history through contested narratives seemed a natural extension of this early interest.
Hugh Castle
Director of Education
I have seen the benefits of the Parallel Histories approach in schools in many settings and aim to use this experience to increase opportunities for teachers and their students.
Meredith Evans
Programme Manager
My journey with Parallel Histories started in 2020 as a history teacher working in East London. I fell in love with the charity through delivering the Israel/Palestine scheme of work, and through the fantastic debate opportunities they presented for students. Three years later, and I have joined the team to become part of what I think is an amazing and meaningful cause.
Luke Bacigalupo
Content Manager
I studied history for my undergraduate degree, but I then I moved away from it for some time. I found myself pulled back towards history as I realised that lying at the core of many political struggles are opposing historical narratives.
Tim Ramsey
Chair of Trustees
As Chair of Parallel Histories, I'm looking forward to helping the team drive growth. I’m bringing experience in the education and charity sector and the love of history to the role.
Clare O’Sullivan
Trustee
I am the Head of School Development and Managing at the PTI (Prince's Teaching Institute). I passionately believe that teachers should remain curious about their chosen subjects.
Harry Edmondson
Student Trustee
I have been involved with Parallel Histories as a student and mentor and witnessed the fascinating debate that evolves from a deeper insight into dual narratives.
Teacher fellows
Tim Leadbeater
I have been drawn to Parallel Histories by the boldness of the strategy, the transparency of the pedagogy and the enthusiasm of students.
Shellie Webster
I have been working as a fellow with Parallel Histories for several years and will continue to do so for many more to come! I teach at Christ the King College where I have been involved in implementing Parallel Histories' debating programme on the Israel Palestine conflict into the Year 9 curriculum.
Lorraine Glynn
Trustee of Parallel Histories Ireland
I am a teacher of History and English at St. Joseph’s Secondary school in Tulla, Co. Clare. I’m really delighted to take up this Parallel Histories fellowship focusing on an issue that I feel really passionate about, which is encouraging debate and discussion amongst our students.
Andrew Dermody
Trustee of Parallel Histories Ireland
My name is Andrew Dermody and I’m a history teacher at St Finian’s College, Mullingar County Westmeath, and I’m a trustee of Parallel Histories Ireland. I’m really happy to be a new teaching fellow with Parallel Histories, working on the topic of partition and the foundation of Northern Ireland in 1921.
Theo Cohen
French Editor
As the French Editor for Parallel Histories responsible for the expansion of the programme in French speaking countries, I have been delighted by the reaction of French students and teachers to this new approach.
Colin Baker
US Editor
I am the Assistant Director of K-12 Education and Outreach at Virginia Tech's European Union center, CEUTTSS (Center for European Union, Transatlantic and Trans-European Space Studies).
Stefanie Van Brussel
Belgian Editor
I am a teacher of history and geography at GO! K. Atheneum Antwerp (BE) and I am translating the Parallel Histories approach on ‘Israël-Palestine’ into Dutch and introducing it as good practice in Flanders, and then I hope, the Netherlands.
Pauline Chaloff
US Team
I live and teach in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. I taught Modern World History and AP World History in the public schools for 13 years and now work as a freelance writer and educational consultant.
Craig J. Perrier
US Team
I am an educational thought leader and practitioner with 20 years of experience in K-16 education at the school, state, international, and federal levels.
Starlynn Nance
US Team
I am a Professor of Education and director of the social studies program at the University of Central Missouri.
Patricia Laurence
US Team
My interest in seeing events from multiple perspectives was fostered at the University of Virginia, where I earned my undergraduate degrees in both History and Art History, followed by a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Old Dominion University.
Bobbi Rodriguez
US Team
I am the Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for a school district in Central Texas. Before taking on this role, I spent 12 years as a high school social studies teacher, focusing mostly on AP US History and AP US Government.
Lou Gallo
US Team
My name is Lou Gallo and I teach AP European History, AP US History, and IB History at Dwight Global Online School and West High School in Knoxville, TN.
Ann-Laure Liéval
I am a History and Geography teacher in Lille, France. My role as part of the Parallel Histories team is to develop teaching material about the Algerian War of Independence.
Steve Archer
I have been fortunate to look, listen and learn in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, in Bosnia and in different communities across England, about the impact of inherited history and witness the power of education to break down the rhetoric of grievance and justification for conflict.
Teresa Cullinan and Michael Bennett
I am Teresa Cullinan, and my colleague Michael Bennett and I are History teachers at St Genevieve’s High School, Belfast. We are delighted to take part in Parallel Histories. Although we have studied the topic of partition before, we’re looking forward to studying it from a different perspective.
Jonny Erskine
My name is Jonny Erskine and I am a teacher of History and Politics and a Head of Year at Banbridge Academy, County Down Northern Ireland. I am really excited to be awarded a teaching fellowship with Parallel Histories studying the partition of the island of Ireland in this centenary year.
Nicolas Graham
I currently teach a 10th grade modern world history course at an independent secondary school for girls in Los Angeles, California. I began my teaching career in an outer London secondary school, before becoming Head of Department at a boys’ independent school in Shepperton, London.
Zameer Hussain
I am a Religious Education teacher at a secondary school in Essex, and I have been Head of Department since 2014. I have represented RE teachers, and Shi’a Muslims, in different contexts including at seminars for grant making trusts, in the House of Lords and at various international venues.
Colette Mazzucelli
I am Professor Colette Mazzucelli, MALD, EdM, PhD and I teach courses in conflict resolution, radicalization & religion, international relations in the post-Cold War era and ethnic conflict and am a recipient of the NYU SPS Excellence in Teaching Award 2013.
Brian Whelan
I teach at Sacred Heart Secondary School, Drogheda, where one of my core values as an educator is to create an environment that is student-centred and (more importantly) student-led. ‘Parallel Histories’ has allowed that.
