Oxford-based broadcaster and lexicographer Susie Dent will chair the judging panel for the 2027 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, joining nine other writers, journalists and cultural figures appointed to the panels for two of the UK’s prominent literary awards.
The Women’s Prize Trust announced the appointments on 21 October, naming Susie as chair of the Non-Fiction panel. The Women’s Prize for Fiction will be chaired by Merve Emre, a scholar, critic, editor and professor.
Susie will be joined by historian, biographer and journalist Shrabani Basu; journalist, broadcaster and novelist Reeta Chakrabarti; writer, broadcaster and disability advocate Sophie Morgan; and psychotherapist and author Emma Reed Turrell.
Joining Merve on the Fiction panel will be Charlotte Collins, editor-in-chief of SheerLuxe; novelist and playwright Esther Freud; poet, writer and artist Theresa Lola; and novelist Eimear McBride.
The two prizes recognise fiction and non-fiction written in English by women from anywhere in the world. Each winner will receive £30,000, with the Fiction prize also including a bronze statuette known as the Bessie, while the Non-Fiction winner will receive a limited-edition artwork known as the Charlotte.
Susie described chairing the Non-Fiction panel as an enormous privilege, calling women’s non-fiction writing a category that had been a constant source of learning throughout her career. She added that the judges would seek to amplify the voices of women whose experience, wisdom and expertise could enrich readers’ understanding.
Merve said she looked forward to discovering both new and established authors and working with her fellow judges to select a collection of exemplary fiction.
The Non-Fiction longlist will be announced on 10 February 2027, followed by the Fiction longlist on 10 March. The Non-Fiction shortlist is due on 07 April, with the Fiction shortlist announced on 28 April. The winners of both prizes will be revealed on 17 June at a summer party in Bedford Square Gardens, London.
The Women’s Prize Trust is a registered charity that champions women’s writing. Previous Fiction winners include Virginia Evans, who won in 2026, and Barbara Kingsolver, while recent Non-Fiction winners include journalist Lyse Doucet in 2026 and Dr Rachel Clarke in 2025.
