Elif Shafak is a Turkish-British novelist, essayist, public speaker, political scientist, and activist. Writing in both Turkish and English, Shafak has published 21 books, with her novels such as The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, Three Daughters of Eve, and 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World gaining international acclaim. Her works have been translated into 57 languages and are known for addressing themes like the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures, women's roles in society, and human rights issues.

She was described by the Financial Times as "Turkey's leading female novelist". Her literary works often feature Istanbul prominently and tackle politically sensitive topics, which have on occasion led to legal challenges in Turkey, prompting her to relocate to the United Kingdom.

Shafak holds a PhD in political science and is an advocate for women's rights, minority rights, and freedom of speech. She contributes essays to various media outlets and is an inspiring public speaker, having participated in numerous TED Global talks.