Katarina Frankopan is a British historian and author known for her work on the history of the Byzantine Empire and the Silk Roads. She is a professor at Oxford University and has published several influential books that explore the connections between East and West throughout history. Her notable works include "The Silk Roads: A New History of the World," which reexamines global history through the lens of trade routes. Frankopan's research emphasizes the importance of cultural exchange and the impact of geopolitical shifts on historical events, making her a prominent figure in contemporary historical scholarship.