Rebekah's research examines the weaponization of food and hunger in France between 1919 and 1949, whereby food was used to manipulate, eliminate, and control populations for gain political gain. Though food has often been included in research about the Second World War, little emphasis been placed on the motivations for weaponizing food and the tactics and strategies used to do so, particularly in France. Employing a transnational approach, her research explores the actions of Vichy France as well as other states and para-state organisations. This research is funded by an AHRC scholarship from the London Arts and Humanities Partnership and under the supervision of Professor Heather Jones.
Prior to attending UCL, Rebekah received a Master of Arts in Food Studies and an Advanced Certificate in French Studies from New York University. She is a member of the Occupation Studies Research Network, Royal Historical Society, and the Centre for French and Francophone Research.
PhD
Supervisor: Professor Heather Jones (primary), Dr. Iain Stewart (secondary)
Working title: The Weaponization of Food in War in France, 1919-1949
Expected completion date: 2027