Social Science Professionals have chosen a Social Scientist of the Year since 1999. For 2026, this honorary mention goes to Timo R. Stewart, a researcher and non-fiction author specialising in political history. The choice is made every year by the YKA Board, and this year’s decision was made public at the autumn meeting of the Union Council.
As a researcher, Stewart has highlighted in a significant way how historic, religious and geo-political factors are linked to the politics of the Middle East and the Western world.
“Stewart has provided a background for the situation in the Middle East and sparked broad public discussion on the subject. His combination of academic analysis and social impact makes him the most excellent bearer of the title Social Scientist of the Year,” YKA Chair Hanna Sauli comments.
“The situation in the Middle East has long been one of the most followed conflicts in the world, but in the last two years in particular, it has been on every Finn’s lips. Socially it is very significant how persistently and bravely Stewart has highlighted the researcher’s perspective in the public debate,” Sauli adds.
“Being named Social Scientist of the Year is a great accolade. The politics in the Middle East bring up strong emotions even in Finland, which sometimes makes it a thankless task to analyse the politics in public. It is wonderful that the importance of this is being noted and acknowledged among social scientists. That encourages me to keep going with this work,” Stewart says.
Photos: Henrietta Soininen
Stewart feels that social scientists have a lot to add to the social debate, and he emphasises that it is of vital importance that they take part in it.
“In fact, I see it as a duty. If you have been educated through public means, especially all the way to become a researcher, it is important to also allow the community to benefit from your skills and knowledge. It is the job of researchers to explain the wider context, express sharp criticism and highlight new perspectives based on their expertise. The message will not necessarily please everyone, but that only makes it more necessary,” he says.
“Unfortunately it isn’t always, or even often, respectful criticism. When I take part in the public debate, I often have to consider how others view my message and how I can make it understandable.”
Stewart will be donating his 1500-euro prize money to the Finnish Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
“The need for humanitarian aid is particularly significant right now in Gaza, the Philippines and Afghanistan. I want my choice of cause to remind others of our shared humanity and global responsibility. In the end many of the problems that lead to a need of relief aid are caused by the structures of society. We can all have an impact on these, even in Finland,” Stewart says.
Timo R. Stewart is a Doctor of Social Sciences who majored in political history. In his current role he works as Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs.
In his research, Stewart particularly specialises in European attitudes towards the Middle East. Through his research he has highlighted new perspectives on issues like Finnish Christian Zionism.
As a non-fiction author, his most well-known books include Valter Juvelius ja kadonneen arkin metsästys (2020) and Luvatun maan lumo (2022). Both have been nominated for the Finlandia Literary Prize for Non-Fiction, and the first book also won the Lauri Jäntti Foundation award in 2021. In the autumn of 2025 Stewart is also releasing his new non-fiction book Palestiina ja Israel – Historia karttoina.
