Public engagement and outreach

Our vibrant public engagement and outreach programme of activities engages with the public, local communities, schools, and sixth forms and colleges, throughout the year. The programme is delivered by members of the Parkes Institute, including a team of dedicated Outreach Fellows.

Our school programme aligns with the national curriculum and covers themes like the Holocaust and Nazi persecution.

We offer tailored visits to secondary schools or sixth forms and colleges, designed to meet the specific needs of each institution. These visits may involve specialised workshops on the Kindertransport, Holocaust and Judaism.

Topics we discuss include:

• racial hatred
• antisemitism
• religious and ethnic prejudice

Members of the Parkes Institute are involved in community outreach at local and national level. Activities include:

• talks at religious groups
• local history events
• walking tours of Southampton

We also have strong links with museums and heritage organisations.

Designed for schoolteachers and museum educators, we can facilitate workshops, both in-person and online, to share best practice on Jewish history and culture. Previous workshop topics include:

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

Our researchers and outreach team work alongside the Holocaust Education Trust to run Holocaust related workshops in the lead up to the UK’s Holocaust Memorial Day. This event includes survivor-led visits and day-long workshops.

The Parkes Institute also organises Southampton’s annual Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations on behalf of the University of Southampton and in collaboration with Solent University.