Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe Postdoctoral Award

Steven will be joining the Department in September 2023 to commence work on his project, which is titled “Crafting Fascism through Jewish Lenses: Four Photographers in Mussolini’s Italy.” The project explores the critical, yet obscured role of Jews in forging the image of fascism that we still retain today. Analyzing Italian Jewish photographers’ contribution to—and struggles within—the production of fascist visual culture, the study focuses on four individuals: Ghitta Carrell, Enrico Treves, Silvio Ottolenghi, and Ettore Ovazza. All four worked in mass media during the 1920s and 30s before being forced to hide, flee, or face murder. While the work of these photographers continues to circulate, their stories are forgotten. Research across Italy, US, UK, and Israel will unearth the photographers’ stories and how their images informed exhibitions, museums, and films long after fascism.

Steven comes to UCL after completing a Ph.D. in History at the University of Southern California. Steven holds an MSc in European Studies from the London School of Economics and a BA in History from New York University.