The longlist for the 2026 edition of the Women's Prize for Non-Fiction has been officially unveiled, spotlighting 16 exceptional works that explore history, memoir, politics, science and culture. Celebrating outstanding narrative non-fiction by women, the prize continues to champion bold storytelling, rigorous research and urgent contemporary voices, offering readers a diverse and thought-provoking selection of books that reflect the complexities of our world today.

The 2026 judging panel is chaired by Thangam Debbonaire — CEO of the UK Opera Association, cultural strategist and former MP — and brings together a distinguished group of voices from across disciplines. She is joined by engineer, author and broadcaster Roma Agrawal; wellbeing entrepreneur Nicola Elliott; novelist and memoirist Nina Stibbe; and Crown Court judge and thriller writer Nicola Williams. Together, the panel will select a shortlist of six to be announced on 25 March 2026, before revealing the overall winner on 11 June 2026 at the Women’s Prize Trust’s summer party in Bedford Square Gardens, London. Sponsored by Findmypast, the winner will receive £30,000 and a limited-edition artwork titled ‘Charlotte’, sculpted by Ann Christopher and gifted by the Charlotte Aitken Trust.