Merlin Sheldrake
Merlin Sheldrake is an English biologist, author, and science writer. He studied neuroscience and mathematics at Cambridge University and went on to work at Harvard, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the Santa Fe Institute, among others. His research focuses on the life cycle of the fungi and their interactions with the environment, exploring ways to harness biology and technology to better understand the natural world.
Sheldrake’s first book, Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures was published in 2020 and was a New York Times’ bestseller. The book explores the unseen ecosystem of fungi in an engaging way and is informed by Sheldrake’s years of scientific research and experience. Sheldrake takes readers on a journey from the laboratory, to the woods, and out into the world, introducing and examining the amazing ways in which fungi shape our lives. Using both science and humanity, Sheldrake describes the intertwined relationships between fungi and the surrounding environment, how our lives are affected, and what she finds most interesting about fungi.
In Entangled Life, Sheldrake speaks of how fungi impact the environment and how our behavior impacts them in turn. He reveals how fungi are uniquely suited to their environment in the form of “biodiversity hotspots” where many life forms coexist, which have an important role in local ecosystems. Sheldrake also dances along the line of science and philosophy, talking of the “entangled” properties of fungi, like the incredible hyphal networks and the interconnectedness of various species and ecosystems that support life.
Sheldrake’s second book, The Leaves That Dance In The Wind, was published in 2021. This book looks at different species of trees, their vibrant colors, and life cycles in detail. He tells the stories of each species, from seed to tree canopy, connecting the rhythms of nature and how this foliage sustains us. The book also features full-color photography from the team of ecologists, nature photographers, and drone operators at Fifth Quartet, providing readers with an immersive experience of a variety of global habitats and their trees.
Apart from his books, Sheldrake has written a number of articles for various publications, including Wired, Nature, and The New York Times, as well as contributing to numerous podcast and radio shows. His original investigations have been featured in outlets such as BBC Radio 4, FiveThirtyEight, The Guardian, Discover Magazine, Popular Science, BBC Focus Magazine, and more.
In addition to his books and articles, Sheldrake has spoken widely on the topic of fungi and its effects. He has appeared at TEDxLondon, TEDxWiltonManors, and TEDxUCLA, among others. He is also the recipient of the Bloomberg New Contemporaries Award, the Royal Society of Biology’s Emerging Leaders Award, the National Geographic’s Emerging Explorers Award, and was voted one of the top 30 scientists under 30 in the world.
Merlin Sheldrake is an inspiring scientist and nature enthusiast whose work is becoming increasingly popular with readers, inspiring both hope and eagerness to explore the wonders of our natural world and its interconnectedness. From his books and research, Sheldrake invites readers to pay attention to the interesting and complex relationships between fungi, the environment, and ourselves.
