Discover how Anne Frank’s story continues to shape conversations on empathy, education, and human rights in a compelling webinar featuring scholars from across the U.S.
The University of Iowa (UI) Anne Frank Initiative, an International Programs affinity group, hosted an insightful and engaging webinar in April 2025, featuring several esteemed authors from the groundbreaking book, Exploring Anne Frank and Difficult Life Stories (Routledge, 2025).
The authors who contributed to this compelling volume shared their unique perspectives and insights on various themes including the relevance of Anne Frank's story in the 21st century and teaching difficult and sensitive topics, such as the Holocaust and other human rights violations.
Exploring Anne Frank and Difficult Life Stories Webinar
University and K-12 educators across the globe will benefit from this webinar, gaining insight into how to discuss difficult stories in the classroom. The strategies and approaches shared will help educators create a more welcoming and empathetic learning environment.
This webinar is co-sponsored by the Anne Frank Initiative, International Programs, the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, the UI Center for Human Rights, the UI Jewish Studies Network, the UI Pentacrest Museums, the Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature, UI Global Health Studies, the UI College of Public Health, the Magid Center for Writing, the Obermann Center, and Global Ties Iowa.
Featured Speakers
Kirsten Kumpf Baele
Kirsten Kumpf Baele, director of the Anne Frank Initiative and a distinguished associate professor of instruction in German at the University of Iowa. Kumpf Baele’s teaching and scholarship address youth agency and expression, trees in the arts, and contested spaces. She brought the 13th sapling from Anne Frank’s Chestnut Tree to the university.
Waltraud Maierhofer
Waltraud Maierhofer, professor of German and global health studies at the University of Iowa. Maierhofer’s recent research and teaching address representations of reproductive and disability rights in German and global fiction and film. She’s received Alexander von Humboldt awards and translated The Child Witches of Lucerne and Buchau (2022) by Swiss novelist Eveline Hasler.
Doyle Stevick
Doyle Stevick, executive director at the Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, which is the official partner of the Anne Frank House for the United States and Canada, and the only permanent partner site of the Anne Frank House in North America. Stevick was a Fulbright scholar to Estonia in 2003 and 2013–14 and has co‑edited two books on citizenship education and four books about Holocaust education around the world.
Mallory Hellman
Mallory Hellman, director of the Iowa Youth Writing Project, holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop and a BA in English from Harvard. She has taught creative writing at the University of Iowa, the Duke University Talent Identification Program, and at K-12 schools throughout the Midwest.
Oren Baruch Stier
Oren Baruch Stier, professor of religious studies and director of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program at Florida International University. Baruch Stier’s research addresses Jewish and Holocaust testimony, memory, education, and material culture. He regularly leads single- and multi-day workshops to educators on teaching Anne Frank and the Holocaust.
Russell Ganim
Russell Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs and professor of French in the UI’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Much of Ganim’s career has been devoted to shared governance. Russ’s primary interests are to expand the UI’s presence in Africa and Latin America while increasing the role of faculty in shaping the direction of IP. He also intends to highlight the contributions of international scholars and students to the UI community.
Naomi Yavneh Klos
Naomi Yavneh Klos, Reverend Bienvenu Distinguished Chair in Humanities and a professor of languages and cultures at Loyola University New Orleans. Yavneh Klos’ book project, Rereading Anne Frank, explores how understanding the nuances of Anne's story can guide us in addressing contemporary challenges of prejudice and systemic racism.
Amal Kassir
Amal Kassir, Syrian American poet, writing teacher, speaker, and entrepreneur. Kassir has performed and taught in 13 countries and cities all over the world. She pioneered a youth Muslim mental wellness program in Denver, Colorado, and currently runs House of Amal, a global writing community.
Mark Gudgel
Mark Gudgel, a Fulbright fellow at the College of Saint Mary, worked for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and taught 18 years in Nebraska public schools and wrote Think Higher Feel Deeper: Holocaust Education in the Secondary Classroom (2021).
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