The AJR is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Amy Williams as Kindertransport Scholar in Residence, a key role that will help lead historical and commemorative efforts, to help spread awareness of the Kindertransport in the lead-up to the 90th anniversary in 2028.
The Kindertransport (Children’s Transport) was a unique humanitarian mission through which approximately 10,000 children, the majority of whom were Jewish, were rescued from Nazi-controlled territories, during the nine months prior to the outbreak of World War II.
Amy is a distinguished historian of Holocaust memory and migration and has dedicated over a decade to researching the Kindertransport. Her scholarly and public-facing work has had wide-reaching impact, including exhibitions, radio series, and appearances on “Great British Railway Journeys” and Dutch current affairs programme “Nieuwsuur.”
She is currently co-authoring a new book with Professor Bill Niven for Yale University Press, exploring the transnational history of the Kindertransport. Their first collaboration examined national and transnational memories of the rescue operation. Dr. Williams is also writing a third book focused on Kindertransport testimony, to be published by Mitteldeutscher Verlag.
Rooted in delivering social welfare to Jewish victims of Nazism, the AJR keeps the memory of the Holocaust alive by galvanising descendants in the UK and funding Holocaust education. The charity arranged multiple landmark events to drive forward the memory of the Kindertransport, including arranging for His Majesty The King to meet with the Kinder in November 2023, on its 85th anniversary, as well as a high profile visit to Mansion House and receptions hosted by Their Excellencies the German and Austrian Ambassadors.
In her new position at AJR, Amy will oversee a series of ambitious projects aimed at preserving and expanding the public’s understanding of the Kindertransport. These include working with long-standing partner organisations, to build a comprehensive, searchable digital platform that will unite newly discovered and existing Kindertransport records—including the Kindertransport lists she uncovered during her fellowship at Yad Vashem.
“This appointment is a full-circle moment for me,” said Dr. Williams. “The first Kindertransport event I ever attended was hosted by the AJR—11 years ago, at its 75th anniversary commemoration. It was there I first met Kinder and their families, and I began what has become a lifelong commitment to understanding and preserving their stories. To now be working at the AJR, helping to create a legacy for the 90th anniversary, is truly lifechanging. I am so grateful to the AJR for helping me to give back to the Kinder and their families, who have helped me so much with my research.”
Her responsibilities will include developing new research and educational resources, coordinating archival projects across Europe and Israel, working closely with the AJR’s Education and Heritage team, and helping connect Kinder and their descendants to newly digitised historical records. A central part of her work will involve sharing previously unseen materials and exploring untold aspects of the Kindertransport story, from lesser-known journeys to overlooked testimonies.
“Dr. Williams brings exceptional scholarly rigour and creative vision to this important role,” said Michael Newman OBE, Chief Executive of the AJR. “Her appointment signals our commitment to preserving the legacy of the Kinder and honouring their remarkable journeys and contributions. We are proud to support Amy in this next chapter of her work.”
Dr. Williams also served as historical advisor on the recent Kindertransport documentary ‘I Was 8814’, which tells the story of Hanna Zack Miley. She has been a fellow at both Yad Vashem and the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at The New School.
