The Ackerman Center Podcast

Ep. 77 Defending Memory: Sabro Bengaro on the Assyrian Genocide and Historical Responsibility

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza interviews Sabro Bengaro, a Ph.D. candidate at The University of Texas at Dallas, who will soon be defending his dissertation, "Germany, Jihad , and the Assyrian Genocide of 1915". Sabro discusses the motivations behind his research, his academic journey and his dedication to preserving Assyrian memory.

Ep. 76 Beyond Walls: Exploring the Digital Twin of the Ackerman Center

What happens when memory, scholarship and cutting-edge technology come together? In this episode, Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Mehak Burza sit down with Professor Jeffrey Price to discuss the creation of the Digital Twin of the Ackerman Center. The conversation explores how the collaboration between the Ackerman Center and the VAST Lab (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Simulation Technology Research) under the supervision of Professor Jeffrey Price has brought this innovative project to life. Designed as an interactive representation of the Center, it allows users to explore the Center's resources and exhibits, fostering a deeper understanding of Holocaust history and its enduring impact.

Ep. 75 Where Art Meets History: Kinder Doll Animation Project- Part II

This episode concludes the special two-part series on the Kinder Doll Animation Project. Hosted by Dr. Mehak Burza, this conversation highlights the faculty's role as creators, thinkers and visionaries behind Kinder Doll Animation Project- UT Dallas' first-ever stop-motion puppet animation. The faculty share their perspectives on shaping a project that merges disciplines—animation, sculpture, music, screenwriting, and history—into a unique storytelling experience. They further reflect on the creative process, the challenges of bringing the Kindertransport story to life, and the powerful intersection of art, history, and education.

Ep. 74 Where Art Meets History: Kinder Doll Animation Project- Part I

This episode is the first in a special two-part series on the Kinder Doll Animation Project- a groundbreaking collaboration between UT Dallas students and faculty that tells the story of the Kindertransport through stop-motion animation. In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza sits down with Dr. Christine Veras, director of both the Experimental Lab and the Kinder Doll animation project, along with the talented student team who helped bring it to life. As the university’s first-ever stop-motion puppet animation, the project merges art, history, and storytelling in extraordinary ways. Dr. Veras and the student team share insights into the creative journey of transforming memory and history into motion.

Ep. 73 Behind Triumph of the Heart: In Conversation with Anthony D'Ambrosio

In this episode Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Mehak Burza sit down with filmmaker Anthony D’Ambrosio, director of the film Triumph of the Heart. Set to release on 12 September, this extraordinary film tell the true story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Catholic priest who made the ultimate sacrifice at Auschwitz when he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner. The conversation dives into the creative journey behind the movie: what inspired D’Ambrosio to tell this story, the artistic choices that shaped its narrative, and the challenges of bringing a vision of resilience, courage, and memory to the big screen.