Paper short abstract:

Elisabeth Sturm (1895-1960) combined her training in social work, psychology, "race theories" and ethnology for an applied anthropology in the Nazi industrial sector where she took advantage of research opportunities.

Paper long abstract:

The case of Elisabeth Sturm and her activities in Nazi Germany is an early negative example of applied anthropology and research opportunities in industry. Sturm had finished her school education in Vienna in 1912, followed by years of broad training in various professions and different languages. At the age of 31 she attended lectures at Vienna University, e.g. in philosophy, pedagogy, psychology but also ethnology. She traveled to numerous European countries as well as to Palestine and Egypt. After Austria's annexation to Nazi Germany, Sturm joined the Nazi party and continued her studies in Leipzig. Parallel to that she worked as a social consultant at "Brabag", regarded as "Nazi model companies", and wrote articles for the company magazine. In 1941 Sturm began work in the cellulose and paper factory of Lenzing (today: Upper Austria) directed by an SS-"Brigadeführer". Numerous foreigners worked there and received different treatment depending on their home country and "racial affiliation". Sturm was enthusiastic about this opportunity for contributing to her "knowledge" and further "educating" herself at the same time. This would happen in the local folk museum, in "racial policy" training, as head of the "Department for Social Affairs" and in the direct "administration of the barracks for foreigners". There are indications that Sturm was also involved in managing the sub-camp of Lenzing-Pettighofen. Since October 1944 women from the Mauthausen concentration camp were detained here and were forced to work in the Lenzing factory until the camp was liberated by the US Army in May 1945.