Find your people.
A platform to connect with fellow students, researchers, and professionals from the MENA region, wherever you are in the world. Find peers near you and build connections across borders.
CommunityA community taking shapeHer potential.
Her potential.
Our shared
orbit.
Connecting women from the Middle East and North Africa to one another, and to a future in science and engineering.
A new trajectory for women in STEMScienceEngineeringConnectionPossibility
Our purposeTalent is everywhere.
Access should be, too.
Access should be, too.
A scientific future should never feel out of reach.
For women pursuing science and engineering, the next step can be hard to navigate: finding a research opportunity, applying to graduate school, or meeting someone who understands the journey.
HerMadar is an emerging initiative for women from the Middle East and North Africa. We’re starting with a simple ambition: make knowledge easier to share, relationships easier to build, and possibilities easier to see. Wherever you live, HerMadar aims to help you find MENA peers who understand your journey.
What we’re building toward
Connection with purpose.
Three priorities for our first chapter, shaped by the women who become part of it.
See your next step.
Practical conversations about research, graduate study, and scientific careers, informed by people who have navigated these paths.
GuidanceMake her work visible.
Stories of MENA women in science and engineering: their work, their questions, and the paths that brought them here.
Scientist storiesAcross the world. Close to home.A shared region.
A shared region.
A community wherever you are.
Studying abroad, starting a research position, or finding your way in a new city? Connect with people from the MENA region who share your interests and experiences.
Our vision is to help members build local and interest-based groups: around a city, a university, or a scientific field. A coffee conversation, a study circle, or a research discussion can be the beginning.
Meet online. Connect around the world.
Our vision includes webinars, seminars, and conferences around the world, bringing MENA women in STEM together to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and build lasting connections, online and in person.
Why HerMadar
Built from the journey.
More women should be able to imagine themselves in science, and find support to get there.
Founded by Zahra Essassi, a Moroccan mechanical engineering PhD researcher working in biomechanics and biomaterials, HerMadar grows from a commitment to connection, shared knowledge, and opportunity for MENA women in STEM.
The name brings together “Her” and madar (مدار), Arabic for orbit: a space to connect while shaping your own trajectory.
Zahra EssassiFounder, HerMadar
Find your placeDifferent journeys.
Different journeys.
A shared direction.
Whether you’re taking your first step or helping someone take theirs, there’s a place for you in the vision.
Your questions belong here.
Our planned student conversations will explore research opportunities, graduate applications, and finding your direction in STEM. What would have made your next step easier?
HerMadar is taking shape. Choose a role above to explore the vision, then tell us a little about yourself below.
A few things to knowAt the beginning.
At the beginning.
With intention.
Who is HerMadar for?
Our focus is women from the Middle East and North Africa pursuing or exploring science and engineering, wherever they live. We also welcome the vision of mentors and collaborators who want to support that mission.
A foundation in the making?
Not officially registered yet. We’re starting with a community and a big vision. Help us build what comes next.
Are programs or memberships available now?
Not yet. Our vision includes community conversations, practical guidance, scientist stories, webinars, seminars, and conferences. Event dates and participation details will be shared when they are confirmed.
What does “Madar” mean?
Madar (مدار) means orbit in Arabic. Combined with “Her,” it reflects women shaping their own trajectories while finding strength in connection.
Start a conversation.
Have a question, an idea, or an interest in collaborating? We’d love to hear from you.
hermadar2026@gmail.com