UTCSW PhD student Ilana Shtivelman attended the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) in the United Kingdom over the past summer. The institute is committed to fighting antisemitism and is dedicated to scholarly research into the origins, processes, and manifestations of global antisemitism and of other forms of prejudice, including various forms of racism, as they relate to policy in an age of globalization.
Shtivelman first learned about the ISGAP-Oxford Summer Institute for Curriculum Development in Critical Contemporary Antisemitism Studies from a friend in the Jewish professional world who highly recommended it. “After researching this program, I found it to be a valuable opportunity for my PhD journey and identity as a Jewish scholar,” she said. “Given the rise in antisemitism, and my general research interests and personal identity, I was drawn to the program’s potential for knowledge, networking, and advocacy.”
Her overall impression of the conference and speakers was quite impressive. “I was deeply captivated by the critical thought, expertise, and compassion of the speakers at the conference,” she noted. “It was clear that attendees were dedicated to combating antisemitism (regardless of their own identity) through innovative scholarly and advocacy efforts. The program was well-organized and included carefully scheduled breaks to network, decompress, process the content, and, of course, have some tea-time. There was a final implementation project to apply what we learned, which I really appreciated, as practical application is key. I gained a wealth of new knowledge about how antisemitism is shaped and manifested, much of which was unfamiliar to me despite my Jewish background and professional experience. I genuinely felt that I was surrounded by champions of this work from whom I could learn immensely and who could help me foster my personal, professional, and academic growth.”
Additionally, Shtivelman noted that one of the highlights of the experience was connecting with attendees and scholars from around the world (from South Africa, to Nigeria, Australia, Israel, Austria, the US, and many more countries), experiencing the diversity of the Jewish community, and the strong allyship with many different religions and perspectives in combating antisemitism.
Expanding her knowledge with critical thinking through engaging discussions was one of the aspects of the experience Shtivelman appreciated the most. “I felt as though my curiosity was beginning to be satiated by questioning everything and challenging so much, which is a big part of a PhD journey,” she noted. “I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in antisemitism, ideology, identity, allyship, terrorism, and global issues. Additionally, I am deeply grateful to the UT College of Social Work, especially Dean Messinger, the PhD program, and the faculty and staff involved in making this experience a reality for me. From writing recommendation letters, providing feedback on my application materials, and taking care of travel logistics, to generous financial aid and mentorship, their support enabled me to participate in this program and bring its insights back to campus. I think these types of interdisciplinary, global, experiential, educational experiences are crucial within the academic world and beyond. And being at and learning about the University of Oxford was a surreal and unforgettable experience.”