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Ms. Julia von dem Knesebeck

Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies Fellow
"The Compensation of Sinti and Roma Victims in Germany"

Professional Background

Ms. Julia von dem Knesebeck earned a M.S. in modern history from the University of Oxford and a B.A. Honours in history from the University of Cambridge. During her fellowship at the Museum, she was a Ph.D. candidate in modern history at the University of Oxford. For her Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies Fellowship, she researched “The Compensation of Sinti and Roma Holocaust Victims in Germany.”

Ms. von dem Knesebeck is the recipient of the Hanseatic Scholarship of the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung in Germany. She is Review Editor for the Journal of Oxford University History Society--a journal that publishes interdisciplinary research conducted by graduate students in history--at the time of her tenure. She was also on the academic advisory board of the Gesellschaft fuer Antiziganismusforschung in Marburg, Germany, an academic, interdisciplinary institution devoted to researching the roots of antigypsyism. Ms. von dem Knesebeck has held internships at various publishing businesses, including Hanser Verlag of Munich, Germany, and La Martiniere of Paris, France. She has also engaged in extensive humanitarian work in India.

Fellowship Research

While in residence at the Center, Ms. von dem Knesebeck investigated the historical and legal issues surrounding compensation claims filed by Sinti and Roma Holocaust victims in Germany. Through her study she sought to gain a deeper understanding of Sinti and Roma persecution during the Holocaust, to examine post-Holocaust attitudes toward Sinti and Roma, and to examine biographical material by Sinti and Roma from the post-war period.

Ms. von dem Knesebeck was in residence at the Mandel Center from October 18, 2005 to January 18, 2006.