The Ackerman Center Podcast

We are honored to have Dr. Stacy Gallin, a renowned expert in ethics, law, and human rights, as our guest. Dr. Gallin is the Director of the Center to Combat Antisemitism and Reinforce Multicultural Acceptance, or CARMA, which was launched in October 2024. The center’s mission is to combat antisemitism and other forms of identity-based hate through education, advocacy, and moral leadership.

In this episode, Dr. Gallin and Dr. Nils Roemer will be discussing the pivotal role of physicians during the Holocaust, exploring how medical professionals were implicated in the atrocities and examining the broader moral questions raised by this dark chapter in history. She brings an extraordinary depth of knowledge and perspective to this topic, and we’re excited to hear her insights.

In addition to her leadership at CARMA, Dr. Gallin is a regular contributor to the Globe Post, Times of Israel, and Forbes Media, where she shares her insights on pressing issues like ethics, law, public policy, and human rights, often exploring them through the lens of the Holocaust. She is also the co-editor of the book Bioethics and the Holocaust, a comprehensive study on how the Holocaust continues to shape the ethics of health, medicine, and human rights today.

In this episode, we introduce the newest member of the Ackerman Center faculty, Dr. Cuellar Cuellar, who hails from El Salvador. Dr. Cuellar Cuellar, an assistant professor of history, is not only an academic; she is also a passionate Salvadoran international human rights lawyer with a PhD in history major and a minor in human rights from the University of Minnesota. Her research focuses on the modern and contemporary history of Latin America, delving deep into the pressing issues of human rights violations, mass violence, and women, gender, and sexuality studies.

Additionally, Dr. Cuellar Cuellar is the executive producer and researcher of the impactful film "Añil" (Indigo) which sheds light on critical themes in her work. "Añil" (Indigo) is based on her book manuscript titled “Salvadoran Women Speak: Female Accounts of Their Struggle Within a Revolution, 1980-1992,” which analyzes the crime of rape perpetrated against women by the security forces and the guerrilla structures during the armed conflict in El Salvador. Join Dean Nils Roemer as he sits down with her to talk about her journey, insights on human rights, and contributions to the field of history.

In this episode, Dr. Hanno Berger and Belofsky fellow Angie Simmons explore the Netflix series "Transatlantic," which follows an American journalist in France during 1940-41 as he assists over 2,000 refugees in escaping danger. They discuss the historical context of these events and examine the challenges faced during this tumultuous time. 

Additionally, they consider how the series portrays historical figures and events, analyzing the interplay between artistic interpretation and factual accuracy. Ultimately, this episode aims to highlight the series' significance as a reflection on refugee experiences and the enduring themes of memory and responsibility in times of crisis. 

In this immersive walking tour episode, step into the streets of Vienna and walk alongside Dr. Shilyh Warren, Associate Professor of Visual & Performing Arts at UT Dallas. Joined by this episode's host, Dr. Katie Fisher, and research assistant Rachel Cattlet, Dr. Warren takes us on a guided tour through the city’s entangled history of anti-semitism while unraveling the complex story of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, and Vienna’s turbulent history surrounding World War II.

As you stroll through the streets and pass by the places where Freud lived and worked, we’ll delve into his revolutionary ideas and how his Jewish identity shaped his life and theories. Whether you’re a history buff, a psychology enthusiast, or simply curious about the hidden layers of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Freud's Vienna and the Echoes of War offers a thought-provoking journey through time and space. Listen in, and let Vienna’s streets tell their story.

In recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the broader UTD community—including faculty, staff, students, and community members—came together to read poetry, prose, and personal testimony in a variety of languages. This recording was produced in conjunction with the 2023 gathering and features readings and new translations of the poem "Cart Load of Shoes," a moving poem by Abraham Sutzkever. Through this and other poems, we honor and remember the past, ensuring that the voices of those who endured the Holocaust are never forgotten. Tune in as we delve into the power of literature to preserve memory and inspire reflection.

In this episode, Belofsky Fellow Katie Fisher sits down with Dr. Charlotte Schallié, an author and professor of German Studies at the University of Victoria, to discuss the importance of arts-based research. Dr. Schallié spoke at the Annual Scholar’s Conference about her collaborative research work with Holocaust survivors and graphic novelists which produced the novel "But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust." What sets this project apart is its innovative format as a graphic novel, offering poignant visual narratives of three survivors' experiences during and after the Holocaust.

During the interview, Schallié shares insights into her collaborative process with artists, shedding light on how she orchestrated their contributions to bring the stories onto the page. Together, Schallié and Fisher discuss the delicate balance of creating a safe and inclusive space for students to learn about mass atrocities while also not hiding the horrors of the events studied.

Charlotte Schallié delivered the 2024 Mitchell L. and Miriam Lewis Barnett Lecture at The 54th Annual Scholars’ Conference on the Holocaust and the Churches

In this episode, Dr. Nils Roemer sits down with Father Patrick Desbois, the esteemed founder of Yahad – in Unum, and they discuss his presentation of the 2024, Einspruch Lectures on the Holocaust and the mission of his organization in identifying Holocaust mass execution sites. The conversation centers on his acclaimed book, The Holocaust by Bullets, which earned him the National Jewish Book Award. Father Desbois shares insights into the atrocities of World War II, emphasizing the mass killings and destruction of graves. He extends the discussion to his research on ISIS, the Yazidi genocide, and the suffering of women across diverse backgrounds, providing a poignant glimpse into the darker pages of history.

In this episode, Dr. Nils Roemer hosts an an engaging conversation with our newest faculty member, Dr. Hanno Berger, an assistant professor in film studies at the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology. Dr. Berger delves into his research on postwar German films, sharing fascinating insights into revolutions and their multifaceted impact. He offers a deep exploration of Hannah Arendt's influential book "On Revolution", which served as the foundation for his PhD thesis. Additionally, Dr. Berger sheds light on his role as one of the editors of Hannah Arendt's renowned work, "The Origin of Totalitarianism." Tune in for an enlightening discussion on film, revolutions, and the profound influence of Arendt's writings on modern discourse.

Join us as we take a close look at the unique Bollywood film, "Bawaal." Our guest, Dr. Mehak Burza, is an expert in Holocaust studies who teaches in the Department of English at University of Delhi (New Delhi, India). Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Burza speak about this film and her recent article "The State of Holocaust Awareness in India is Abysmal" where she points out that many people in India do not have in-depth knowledge about the Holocaust. Together they explore how "Bawaal" impacts Indian viewers, especially young people.

In this episode, Dr. Nils Roemer and Angie Simmons have a meaningful conversation with Dr. Martin Dean, a respected scholar and the 2023 keynote speaker at the Annual Scholar’s Conference. Dr. Dean's book, "Collaboration in the Holocaust: Crimes of the Local Police in Belorussia and Ukraine" provides us an understanding how different groups collaborated in committing crimes during the Holocaust. This work developed out of his years working alongside Scotland Yard.