Elif Shafak: podcast appearances and interviews

Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British novelist, essayist, public speaker, political scientist, and activist born on October 25, 1971. She writes in both Turkish and English and has authored twenty-one books, including notable titles such as The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, Three Daughters of Eve, 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, and The Island of Missing Trees. Her work has been translated into nearly sixty languages and has received recognition through nominations for various literary awards. Described by the Financial Times as Turkey's leading female novelist, Shafak's novels are well known for their depiction of Istanbul and explore themes related to Eastern and Western cultures, women's roles in society, and human rights issues. Certain politically sensitive subjects, like child abuse and the Armenian genocide, have led to legal challenges from Turkish authorities, resulting in her emigration to the United Kingdom. Shafak holds a PhD in political science and contributes as an essayist and media commentator advocating for women’s rights, minority rights, and free speech. As of December 2025, she assumed the role of president of the Royal Society of Literature, succeeding Bernardine Evaristo.