#Canada #Toronto #Lionel Gelber Prize #Janice Gross Stein #Munk School

International Jury Unveiled for the 2026 Lionel Gelber Prize

On November 20, 2025, the Lionel Gelber Prize Committee proudly introduced the distinguished jury for the 36th edition of the Lionel Gelber Prize. This prestigious award honors the finest nonfiction work in English focusing on global affairs.

Janice Gross Stein, an eminent Canadian expert in international relations, will chair the jury. She is the founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and a renowned scholar in conflict management, a role complemented by her membership in the Royal Society of Canada and the Order of Canada. Her extensive experience and insights position her as a powerful leader for the jury.

Joining her are notable figures: John Bew, a former senior foreign policy adviser for the UK government; Nina Srinivasan Rathbun, a specialist in international security and professor at the Munk School; James Steinberg, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; and Sergey Radchenko, a distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins and the 2025 Lionel Gelber Prize winner.

The assembly of these accomplished individuals not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience but also encapsulates the unique nature of the Lionel Gelber Prize, which aims to stimulate public discourse on international issues through outstanding literature.

Established in 1989 to celebrate the contributions of Canadian diplomat and writer Lionel Gelber, the prize awards 50,000 Canadian dollars to the author of the best book on foreign affairs published in English each year, facilitated by the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto.

The shortlist of the five finalist books will be unveiled on January 14, 2026, while the winner will be announced on March 18, 2026. The award ceremony, which includes a conference on prominent global issues, is set for April 2026. This timeline promises an exciting lead-up to the announcements, drawing increased attention to the vital discussions surrounding international topics.

The jury members bring diverse backgrounds to the table. John Bew, from London, has held high-ranking positions in the British government and currently imparts his expertise in history and foreign relations at King’s College London. Similarly, Sergey Radchenko from Cardiff has a distinguished focus on Cold War studies and the nuclear histories of China and Russia. His global experiences, which include time spent in Mongolia and China, provide invaluable perspectives to the jury.

James Steinberg contributes a significant political background as a former deputy National Security Adviser under President Bill Clinton and now leads studies at Johns Hopkins. Meanwhile, Nina Srinivasan Rathbun's research spans various aspects of international security, notably in nuclear non-proliferation and European political dynamics.

Judith Gelber, Chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize Board, emphasized the unique expertise this panel brings, noting its ability to elevate the Prize's legacy and influence the future of international humanitarian and political discussions through literary achievements.

Overall, the 2026 Lionel Gelber Prize presents an opportunity not only to acknowledge remarkable nonfiction literature but also to foster ongoing dialogues about pressing global matters. It paves the way for better understanding and appreciation of the complexities of our world. For more information on the prize, please visit gelber.munkschool.utoronto.ca.