Void of Voids

As a child in Iran, I fell in love with astronomy by gazing at the stars, a passion that led me to study cosmology and become a professor. In exploring the cosmos, I discovered that 95% of our universe is dark and empty, known as voids.

In 2022, I resigned from my faculty position in solidarity with the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests, plunging me into the darkness of exile – an experience as isolating as the cosmic voids. Memories of visiting the Jewish Museum's "void of voids" in Berlin mirrored my sense of displacement.

Yet, like fglaxies shining in the void, I sought hope. I became a voice for displaced scholars, advocating for academic freedom and human rights. Through "Void of Voids," I aim to illuminate the struggles of exiled scholars, sharing their stories and science with the world.

A Persian poem says, "Wherever I am, the sky is mine," but my heart years for the nights of Iran. This project is my dream of bringing displaced scholars closer to the skies of their homeland.

About Encieh's research:

Erfani's research area is Theoretical Physics and in particular Cosmology. She is a fellow of the International Science Council, an Advisory Board of the InterAcademy Partnership, a TWAS Young Affiliate member, and a member of the Global Young Academy since 2021.