Storytelling of scholars in exile

Read more on Dr Encieh Erfani's Google Site:

"Today marks 829 days since I left Iran for what was supposed to be a three-month research visit to Mexico in August 2022. Shortly after my arrival, the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement began in Iran. In solidarity with my people and in condemnation of the brutal regime of the Islamic Republic, I resigned from my faculty position—an act that forced me into exile.
Surviving these days has been a profound challenge. Many ask what keeps me motivated, and my response is always the same: I don’t want to stay in exile forever. My ultimate goal is to return HOME, to the safest place in the world, which will only be possible with the collapse of this regime and a smooth transition to democracy in Iran.
Throughout these 829 days, I have refused to remain silent, even when my efforts seemed like echoes in a void. The grief of being without a home is overwhelming, but it fuels my determination to raise awareness about the plight of displaced and exiled scholars.

I have shared recommendations based on my experience in my latest interview, hoping to eliminate double standards. Science knows no borders; it is a universal language. Yet, it is heartbreaking to witness the unequal treatment of scholars from different countries. Suffering is suffering, and we all experience it in the same human way.
To those organizations and science diplomats who use human rights as a means to their own ends: stop preaching, stop pretending to advocate, and step aside if you do not understand the true meaning of solidarity and support. 

In November 2023, I applied for the SILBERSALZ Science & Media Institute, a 10-month training program offering workshops on science communication, storytelling, production, and pitching. This experience was incredibly enriching, and I am deeply grateful to my wonderful peers and the dedicated team at the Silbersalz Institute.

The program aims to connect scientists with artists. In my application, I proposed focusing on cosmology, particularly my research on dark matter and primordial black holes. However, when my mentors and classmates learned about my journey as an exiled scientist, they suggested creating a documentary to tell my story. While it was a compelling idea, I opted not to pursue it for two key reasons: documentaries typically focus on individual stories, whereas I aim to raise awareness about the thousands of displaced and exiled scholars worldwide, and creating a documentary requires a large team and significant funding. Instead, I decided to focus on a digital graphic novel.

In October 2024, I presented my project, "Void of Voids", at the Silbersalz Festival in Halle (Saale), Germany. If you're curious about the title’s connection to cosmology, I invite you to watch my 7-minute presentation and explore the accompanying story.

A special thanks goes to Jacopo Sacquegno, my talented artist partner, whose remarkable illustrations brought this project to life. I also deeply appreciate the guidance and support of my mentor, Tom Millen, throughout this journey.

Encieh Erfani