Award-winning author Zadie Smith will speak at Northwestern on May 11, the Contemporary Thought Speakers Series announced Monday.

Smith will be joined by African studies and comparative literature Prof. Michelle Wright in Ryan Auditorium for a conversation followed by a Q&A session with students. Smith’s novel “White Teeth,” published in 2000, won multiple literary awards and was named one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923-2005 by Time. Smith was also named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2006.

CTSS co-chair Samantha Rose, a Communication senior, said members of the group are “really big fans of Zadie” and had been wanting to bring another author to campus.

CTSS polled NU students after inviting Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Smith’s name was one of the names that kept appearing in responses, Rose said.

Rose said Smith’s novels –– which focus on issues including race, class, gender, sexuality and immigrant experiences –– will resonate with an audience because “she’s writing about things people care about.”

The topics Smith focuses on in her books as well as her commentary on current social and political issues makes her an ideal speaker for the series, said CTSS co-chair Ben Zimmermann.

“She’s really pushed boundaries of the way we think about a lot of issues that are extremely important,” the Weinberg junior said. “She’s changed the way we’re thinking about them and she’s talking about these issues in a really, beyond thought-provoking, funny and interesting and notable way that’s unlike any other writer or author of her time, which makes her stand out and makes us really excited to host her.”

Admission for the event is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available online for NU students, faculty and staff through Eventbrite.

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