Public engagement and outreach

We share Jewish history and culture with the public, local communities, schools and colleges.

The Parkes Institute shares research-led knowledge about Jewish history, culture, antisemitism and the Holocaust with schools, colleges, educators, communities and the wider public.

Our public engagement and outreach programme includes school visits, workshops, teacher training, public talks, walking tours, community events and Holocaust Memorial Day activities.

The programme is delivered by members of the Parkes Institute, including our dedicated Outreach Fellows.

What public engagement does the Parkes Institute offer?

The Parkes Institute offers public engagement and outreach activities for:

  • primary and secondary schools
  • sixth forms and colleges
  • teachers
  • museum educators
  • local communities
  • religious groups
  • museums and heritage organisations
  • members of the public interested in Jewish history and culture

Our activities are designed to make Jewish history, Holocaust education, antisemitism and Jewish/non-Jewish relations accessible to a wide range of audiences.

Schools and colleges

We offer curriculum-linked visits and workshops for secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges.

Sessions can be adapted to suit each institution and may cover topics including:

  • the Holocaust
  • Nazi persecution
  • the Kindertransport
  • Judaism
  • antisemitism
  • racial, religious and ethnic prejudice

These expert-led sessions help students explore complex and difficult histories in an informed, sensitive and age-appropriate way.

Teachers and museum educators

We provide in-person and online workshops for teachers, museum educators and others working in education, public history and heritage.

Workshops share research-informed approaches to teaching Jewish history, Holocaust education and difficult histories.

Previous topics have included:

  • the ethics of teaching the Holocaust
  • teaching difficult histories
  • complicating the narrative of the Kindertransport

Community outreach

Members of the Parkes Institute contribute to community outreach locally and nationally.

Our activities include public talks, local history events, walking tours of Southampton, and collaborations with museums, religious groups and heritage organisations.

Through this work, we connect academic research with public understanding of Jewish history, culture and memory.