Two former Leo Baeck Institute London fellows, Stefanie Fischer (2009/10 cohort) and Kim Wünschmann (2007/8 cohort), have been awarded Silver in the International Creative Media Award (ICMA) in the category of Concept and Innovation for their recent publication Oberbrechen: A German Village Confronts Its Nazi Past.
The book, published in 2024 by Oxford University Press, has been recognised for its original approach to presenting research on German-Jewish history, the Holocaust, and its aftermath. By combining rigorous historical scholarship with the format of a graphic history, Fischer and Wünschmann offer a compelling and accessible account of how one German community has engaged with its Nazi past.
The ICMA judges praised the work as an example of ‘innovative graphic research’, highlighting both its conceptual strength and its contribution to public understanding of complex historical issues. The project reflects a growing interest in new forms of historical storytelling that reach wider audiences while maintaining academic depth.
Fischer and Wünschmann’s achievement also underlines the ongoing impact of LBI London’s fellowship programme, which supports research into German-Jewish history and culture. Their success demonstrates how scholarly work developed within this network continues to shape the field in creative and meaningful ways.
For more information on the award-winning publication, visit: https://www.igdj-hh.de/en/recent-events/news/graphic-history-oberbrechen-recieves-icma-book-award-silver
