Barbara S. Burstin

Barbara S. Burstin is a Part-Time Lecturer in the Department of History at the University of Pittsburgh's Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. She specializes in American history with a focus on Jewish communities, the Holocaust, and migration patterns. Her work includes seminal studies on Pittsburgh's Jewish community and post-WWII migration.

Education:

• PhD in History, University of Pittsburgh, 1986

Research Interests:

Dr. Burstin explores the intersection of Jewish identity, urban development, and historical memory. Her studies highlight the experiences of Polish Jewish and Christian migrants in Pittsburgh post-1945, as well as the broader socio-cultural dynamics of diaspora communities. She combines archival research with documentary film to preserve and disseminate historical narratives.

Awards:

• Oskar Halecki Book Award (1991)
• Solon J. Buck Award (1987)
• Nominated for Regional Emmy for A Jewish Legacy (2000)
• Columbus Film Festival Award in Education and Humanities (1999)

Additional Contributions:

Her film A Jewish Legacy: Pittsburgh bridges academic research and public education, earning critical acclaim. She has advised no formally listed graduate students but contributes to undergraduate and graduate curricula in American and Jewish history.

Contact:

Email: burstin@pitt.edu