Haidar Hadi

About

Haedar (Haidar) Hadi is the Middle East and North Africa Collections Curator at the Hoover Institution Library & Archives, leveraging two decades of regional expertise and technical leadership. His firsthand experience with the region's complex landscapes ensures authentic representation of Middle Eastern & North African collections.

Previously, as Digital Systems and Infrastructure Manager, Hadi transformed the institution's digital ecosystem by implementing a comprehensive repository that protects vulnerable materials while expanding global research access. His unique combination of IT expertise and Middle Eastern knowledge bridges technical innovation with cultural understanding in preservation approaches.

During Iraq's post-2003 transition, Hadi led technical operations with the Iraq Memory Foundation, documenting human rights abuses under Saddam Hussein's regime. Working with sensitive materials in high-risk environments, he developed preservation methodologies protecting both physical and digital records while respecting cultural sensitivities. This work, featured in "Mission to Baghdad," established his reputation for stewarding contested historical narratives.

With Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and certifications in project management, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and IT leadership, Hadi is fluent in Arabic and English. He helped establish two Iraqi nonprofits supporting education and interfaith dialogue, demonstrating his commitment to applying historical understanding for social impact.

Through his combination of technical innovation, regional expertise, and ethical leadership, Hadi advances standards for preserving and accessing Middle Eastern cultural heritage, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and historical accountability.