What Happens When Scientists from Enemy Nations Collaborate

In this episode of the Vlogging Pod, Eri speaks with Dr. Zafra Lerman, an Israeli-born chemist, educator, and peacebuilder whose life’s work blends science, human rights, and diplomacy. Dr. Lerman shares how her childhood in a developing Israel and the values instilled by her parents led her to risk her own safety in the Soviet Union to support dissidents and fight for their freedom, work that ultimately helped secure the release of political prisoners. She describes her belief that science education is a human right and explains how she transformed chemistry teaching by using music, dance, drama, and storytelling to reach underprivileged students, homeless youth, and prisoners, many of whom went on to study science. The conversation follows her journey from single mother and immigrant to global advocate, founding the Malta Conferences Foundation to bring scientists from across the Middle East and other conflict regions together, using science diplomacy to build trust where politics fails. Along the way she shares personal and often funny stories from her memoir “Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey,” including family history, the symbolism of her mother’s ring, and a memorable hotel mix-up in Morocco, all underscoring her core message that ordinary people, acting on their values, can help create a more peaceful world.

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