The Social Science Professionals (YKA) has chosen Timo R. Stewart, Senior Research Fellow at FIIA, as the 2026 Social Scientist of the Year.
Stewart has sparked broad public discussion on the situation in the Middle East and has brought academic analysis into that discussion in a remarkable way, YKA states. Stewart has appeared in the media to provide background on the Middle East conflict, and he has also addressed the topic in his book Palestiina ja Israel – historia karttoina (2025), among other works.
YKA’s board awards the honorary mention each year to a person or collective who has commendably represented graduates, students, and professionals in social sciences.
Timo R. Stewart
Senior Research Fellow (Employment at FIIA has ended)