What Parallel Histories does

Parallel Histories is a UK-registered educational charity (registration number 1174481) founded in 2017 by Michael Davies that develops resources, training, and structured debates to teach contested and controversial histories in secondary schools. The charity's core methodology is a 'dual narrative' approach in which students examine historical controversies by first studying one side's narrative and then the other's, working from 500+ curated primary sources to challenge stereotypes and develop critical thinking. The product set consists of interactive eBooks covering topics such as Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine, the US Civil Rights struggle, Churchill, Putin/Ukraine, the British Empire, and the March 2026-launched Isolationism vs Internationalism module, complemented by printable PDF source packs, free online Zoom debates, in-person debate events (Stormont, Lancaster, Antwerp), and weekly teacher training/CPD workshops for groups of 4-6 teachers.

The organization's commercial model is primarily donation- and grant-based, augmented by a freemium 'All Access' subscription giving access to all eBooks and future releases. Teacher training and school debating programs are provided free of charge. Parallel Histories claims reach to 2,900+ schools worldwide (including 400+ in the US) and 350+ trained teachers across 200+ schools, with a 98% school return rate for debates. The organization operates from London with a US subsidiary (Parallel Histories US, a 501c3) based in Virginia, plus active programs in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland, supported by strategic partnerships with Pearson, Erasmus+, Library of Congress, the American Historical Association, Virginia Tech's CEUTTSS, and a high-profile 2024 Guardian/Observer Charity Appeal selection alongside War Child and Medecins Sans Frontiere. Following founder Michael Davies' death in July 2024, former UK Minister of State for the Middle East Bill Rammell was appointed CEO.

Name

Parallel Histories

Legal name

Parallel Histories

Website

https://parallelhistories.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Parallel Histories is a UK-registered educational charity that develops dual-narrative eBooks, structured debates, and teacher training to teach contested history in secondary schools across the UK, Europe, and the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Services (History Teaching)

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education (SPED) & Inclusive Curriculum Materials (EDAGAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)

Keywords

• History teaching resources
• Dual narrative education
• School debate programs
• Teacher training workshops
• Educational charity resources

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Funding: As a UK registered charity (number 1174481), Parallel Histories relies primarily on donations, grants, and charitable funding. The organization was selected as one of three charities for The Guardian and The Observer 2024 Charity Appeal alongside War Child and Medecins Sans Frontiere.
2. Educational Resource Subscriptions: Offers an 'All Access' subscription package providing access to all ebooks and future releases. Resources include Israel/Palestine series and British Empire series.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Parallel Histories is an educational charity that produces interactive eBooks, source packs, and structured debate programs to help secondary schools and teachers teach contested and controversial histories. It uses a proprietary 'dual narrative' methodology that presents each historical controversy first from one perspective, then the other, with 20+ curated source documents per topic. Offerings are delivered through free account ebook access, subscription 'All Access' packages, free online Zoom debates, in-person debate events, and teacher CPD workshops.

Product overview

Parallel Histories is an educational charity offering a suite of products and services centred on its dual narrative approach to teaching contested history. The core product is its educational eBook platform, which provides interactive resources covering historical controversies including Northern Ireland, Israel/Palestine, US History, and Great Leaders such as Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. These are complemented by online debate programmes, in-person debate events (Stormont Debates, Belgium Debates, Michael Davies Memorial Debate), and teacher training/CPD workshops. Resources are available in English, French, and Dutch, with specific offerings for both UK and US markets. The company operates a 'All Access' subscription model for schools to access all ebooks and future releases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Educational eBooks (Dual Narrative Series) Interactive ebooks providing the structured framework for investigating and debating historical controversies using the dual narrative approach. Each ebook contains interactive videos, transcripts presenting history as two competing narratives, at least 20 pieces of source evidence of varying difficulty, and suggested source-based activities. Accessible on all devices for secondary school students aged 11-18.
• Online Debates (School Debate Program) Free online debate programmes that connect schools across the UK and internationally via Zoom, providing safe, non-competitive platforms for free speech. Students argue first from one side of a historical controversy and then the other, with preparation workshops available and developmental feedback provided by teachers. Teams of 5 students per school participate.
• In-Person Debate Events Face-to-face debate events held at schools, government venues, and educational institutions. Includes Stormont Debates (Northern Ireland), the Michael Davies Memorial Debate (Lancaster Royal Grammar School), and Belgium Debates (Antwerp). These events bring students together across community divides and country borders to debate controversial histories in person.
• Teacher Training / CPD Workshops One-hour small group workshops (4-6 teachers) delivered via Zoom after school, teaching the dual narrative approach and how to run simultaneous debates in classrooms. Customized INSET training is offered to whole departments. The charity also runs SCITT partnerships. A certificate of attendance is provided to participants. Free of charge to teachers.
• The Complete History (Northern Ireland) An eBook programme that explains the fundamental causes of the conflict in Northern Ireland, examining the history from Catholic/Irish/nationalistic and Protestant/British/unionist perspectives using the dual narrative approach with 20+ source evidence pieces.
• Winston Churchill (Great Leaders Series) An eBook that examines Winston Churchill's character, actions and words, presenting both his leadership during World War II and criticism for his attitudes to race and resistance to Indian independence, using the dual narrative approach.
• Putin and Ukraine An eBook allowing students to debate Putin's historical claims and analyse how his historical narrative has been constructed, providing insight into how historical events are used in Russian propaganda.
• The Pursuit of Freedom (US History) An eBook exploring the history of the USA through two narratives: European American and African American perspectives on freedom, slavery, and the Civil Rights struggle.
• The Complete History (Israel Palestine) An eBook that explains the history of the land across three millennia from the Bronze Age through Roman, Arab, Ottoman, and British rule to the present day, presenting both Jewish/Israeli and Arab/Palestinian historical claims using the dual narrative approach.
• Isolationism vs Internationalism An eBook for secondary school students that explores and assesses the debate around American policies from 1898-1949, examining whether staying out or stepping in made Americans safer. Uses Library of Congress primary sources through the dual narrative approach.
• US Classroom Resources (Parallel Histories US) Parallel Histories US-specific resources for American classrooms, including Isolationism vs Interventionism, The US Civil War, The Cold War in the 1960s, Iran and the USA, and Napoleon. These resources are delivered through the US 501c3 entity.
• All Access Subscription An annual subscription package providing registered users with access to all eBooks and future releases, including the Israel/Palestine series and British Empire series. Free accounts are also available for basic access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of schools return to participate in additional debates
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Guardian and The ObservercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Selected as one of three charities for the 2024 Guardian/Observer Charity Appeal alongside War Child and Medecins Sans Frontiere. Theme focused on conflict and its impact. Includes podcast coverage and donate page integration.
• PearsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational publisher partner listed in partners & supporters section, supporting the charity's educational mission.
• Erasmus+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU funding program supporting Parallel Histories programmes. Erasmus-funded 'Parallel Histories' programme enabled cross-border school partnerships and teacher exchanges in Europe.
• GBC (Global Education Citizenship)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccredited partner organization supporting citizenship education, listed in partners section.
• Library of CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary source provider for the Isolationism vs Internationalism eBook project. The Library's vast collection of primary sources provided the basis for curriculum development.
• American Historical AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging partner for Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Mid-Atlantic and US Territories Region grant program supporting Parallel Histories US.
• Virginia Tech Center for European Union, Transatlantic and Trans-European Space Studies (CEUTTSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerColin Baker serves as Program Director for K-12 Outreach at Virginia Tech's EU Center. Partnership coordinates with university professors, educational organizations, and high school teachers for teacher training and resources.
• Prince's Teaching Institute (PTI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrustee Clare O'Sullivan serves as Head of School Development and Managing at PTI. Partnership supports teacher development programs.
• GO! Atheneum AntwerpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBelgian school acting as regional hub for Parallel Histories activities in Flanders. Stefanie Van Brussel translates materials into Dutch and introduces approach as good practice.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Anne Frank House: Educational charity that operates the Anne Frank Museum and develops educational programs about Anne Frank's history and the Holocaust, employing similar primary-source-based teaching methodologies for contested history.
• iCivics: Nonprofit founded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor providing civic education curriculum and games for K-12 students. Shares Parallel Histories' mission of building critical thinking, oracy, and civic engagement skills in schools.
• Remembering Srebrenica: UK educational charity that teaches about the Srebrenica genocide and its lessons for contemporary society, using similar approaches of teacher training and school engagement in the UK.
• Holocaust Educational Trust: UK-based educational charity that teaches about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance, sharing a similar model of educator training and school resources for engaging with sensitive historical topics.
• Facing History and Ourselves: US-based nonprofit that uses historical case studies to teach about prejudice, ethics, and democracy. Directly comparable to Parallel Histories' dual narrative use of contested historical topics for secondary school critical thinking and civic education.
• Choices Program at Brown University: Watson Institute's educational program producing video and curriculum materials on contested historical and international topics for secondary schools, with a peer-use model very similar to Parallel Histories' eBooks and structured debate resources.

Broad incumbents

• Newsela: Educational content platform providing leveled reading materials and current events for K-12, with a broader content focus but overlapping historical and civic subject matter that competes for school curriculum budgets.
• PBS LearningMedia: Public broadcasting's educational content platform offering free K-12 resources including historical and civic content, operating at much larger scale than Parallel Histories but covering overlapping subject areas.

Others

• Prince's Teaching Institute: UK subject-specific teacher CPD charity that is already a partner of Parallel Histories. Comparable as a small education charity focused on teacher development and school engagement in subject disciplines.
• Council of Europe Education Department: European organization promoting education for democratic citizenship and human rights, with related curriculum development programs on contested history that overlap with Parallel Histories' mission and feed the Erasmus+ ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parallel-histories

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Parallel Histories