Science Award for New Approaches to Memory
The University of Siegen’s Science Award was presented for the first time. Pictured (from left): Dr. Thilo Pahl (Siegen Chamber of Industry and Commerce), Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Prof. Dr. Daniel Stein, Dr. Jana Mikota, Dr. Jens Aspelmeier, Leonhard Gronbach (Christa and Dieter Lange Foundation), and Tillmann Reusch (Sparkasse Siegen).
Since 2024, a project at the University of Siegen has been exploring how the history of the Holocaust can be brought to life for future generations as direct encounters with survivors become increasingly rare. It draws on the power of graphic narratives. This project, titled “Transnational Memory in Graphic Literature,” was awarded the Science and Innovation Prize at the University of Siegen’s annual reception. The award recipients are Siegen-based scholars Dr. Jana Mikota, Prof. Dr. Daniel Stein, and Dr. Jens Aspelmeier. This was the first time the prize was awarded. It comes with a cash prize of 40,000 euros.
University Rector Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese and representatives of the supporting institutions—Leonhard Gronbach for the Christa and Dieter Lange Foundation, Tillmann Reusch for Sparkasse Siegen, and Dr. Thilo Pahl for the Siegen Chamber of Industry and Commerce—offered their heartfelt congratulations.
“The award honors a project that brings together regional memory culture, international artistic perspectives, and interdisciplinary research,” explains Rector Prof. Reese. “Its innovative power is realized where academia fosters dialogue between schools and society.”
Dr. Jana Mikota (German Studies) contributed her specialized expertise in children’s and young adult literature to the project, while Prof. Dr. Daniel Stein (American Studies, Dean of Faculty I) contributed his knowledge from the field of comic book research. Dr. Jens Aspelmeier, a member of the board of the Aktives Museum, is the director of the Center for Practical Teacher Training and understands how important it is to address the Holocaust in schools and that new approaches to the culture of remembrance must be found.
At the annual reception, they presented the graphic novel anthology “Am I Not a Human Being, Too? Remembering, Telling, Experiencing,” which was created as part of the project. In it, five internationally renowned female artists tell the life stories of people from Siegen and the surrounding area during the Nazi era. Betty Hochmann, Inge Frank, Zina, Otto Päulgen, and Simon and Johanna Grünewald represent different groups of victims of Nazi terror. Their stories take readers to places that, in many cases, are still part of everyday life in the region today. In this way, history becomes tangible and takes on individual faces. Historical documents and educational accompanying texts complement the graphic narratives.
However, the project’s work is not limited to the publication. A lecture series, seminars, workshops, a special exhibition at the Aktives Museum Südwestfalen, and a symposium have accompanied the exploration of this topic. Students have written term papers and master’s theses. There is an initial doctoral project on the topic. Teacher training is also a central component: The insights gained and the pedagogical approaches are intended to be incorporated into school curricula and to strengthen historical and political education in the region.
With the establishment of the Center for Pictorial Holocaust Studies in April 2026—a joint initiative with the Technical University of Braunschweig—the project also gains a long-term academic perspective.
The Siegen Science and Innovation Award honors outstanding achievements in science that have a special connection to the city and region of Siegen. It is awarded every two years.
Bibliographic reference: Jens Aspelmeier, Jana Mikota, Daniel Stein (eds.): “Am I Not Also Human?” Remembering, Narrating, Experiencing. Ariella Verlag, 270 pages, 29 euros, ISBN-10: 3945530598.
