Katherine Zoepf

Katherine Zoepf, an insightful chronicler of Middle Eastern society, has spent formative years embedded in the very regions she writes about. Between 2004 and 2007, her tenure in Syria and Lebanon as a correspondent for The New York Times provided her with an unparalleled vantage point on the cultural transformations occurring in these societies. Her subsequent work in the Times’s Baghdad bureau in 2008 further enriched her understanding of the complex socio-political landscape of the Arab world. A graduate of Princeton University and the London School of Economics, Zoepf now resides in Manhattan with her two children, drawing upon her diverse experiences to inform her journalistic pursuits. Her acclaimed book, "Excellent Daughters: The Secret Lives of Young Women Who Are Transforming the Arab World," delves into the lives of young women navigating traditional and modern expectations in Arab societies. This work, celebrated for its depth and sensitivity, illuminates the often-overlooked narratives of women who are quietly instigating societal change. Zoepf's meticulous research and empathetic storytelling have earned her a place among leading voices in contemporary journalism, particularly in the realm of gender studies. Zoepf's writing style is marked by its clarity and compassion, adeptly balancing rigorous reportage with narrative flair. Her primary focus on the intersection of gender and culture in the Middle East offers readers a nuanced perspective on a region frequently misrepresented in global discourse. Through her contributions to esteemed publications such as The New York Observer, The Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times Magazine, and The New Yorker, Zoepf has established herself as a vital conduit for understanding the transformative power of young women in reshaping their societies.