#Canada #Toronto #Lionel Gelber Prize #Global Affairs

Announcement of the 2026 Lionel Gelber Prize Jury

The Lionel Gelber Prize, an esteemed award recognizing outstanding non-fiction literature in English about international affairs, has announced its jury for the 2026 season. This prize, established in 1989 in honor of the prominent Canadian diplomat Lionel Gelber, aims to promote notable works that illuminate global issues and international relations.

The jury for the 36th Lionel Gelber Prize will be chaired by Janice Gross Stein, a distinguished figure in Canadian international relations and founding director of the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto. With a wealth of experience in global politics, Stein is a recognized member of the Royal Society of Canada and has been awarded the Order of Canada, reflecting her significant contributions to the field.

Joining Stein on the jury are notable scholars and practitioners, including John Bew, a former chief foreign policy advisor to the UK government, and Nina Srinivasan Rathbun, an expert in international security also affiliated with the Munk School. Additionally, newcomers to the jury for this year include James Steinberg, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Sergey Radchenko, the Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins SAIS, also a past winner of the Lionel Gelber Prize in 2025.

Judith Gelber, the chair of the Lionel Gelber Prize, expressed her confidence in the jury’s unique expertise, remarking, “This jury embodies a wealth of knowledge that makes the Lionel Gelber Prize truly exceptional.” The holistic perspectives offered by this diverse group of jurors promise to ensure a rigorous evaluation of the submissions.

Each year, the prize awards $50,000 CAD to the author of the winning book, emphasizing the importance of literature that addresses significant global challenges and promotes understanding of international affairs. The selection process culminates in an announcement of a shortlist featuring five outstanding works on January 14, 2026. The winner will be publicly revealed on March 18, 2026, followed by an award ceremony and a public lecture related to the prize in April.

Members of the jury bring extensive backgrounds in security studies, historical analysis, and conflict management, making them well-equipped to assess the year’s submissions critically. For instance, John Bew is currently a professor of history and foreign policy at King's College London, where he continues to contribute to the discourse on Britain’s role in global politics.

Sergey Radchenko, known for his analysis of Cold War dynamics and nuclear policy, also enriches the jury with his experience in both Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, James Steinberg’s notable career includes significant positions within the U.S. government, such as deputy national security advisor under former President Bill Clinton, adding depth to the panel’s understanding of U.S. foreign relations.

Nina Srinivasan Rathbun focuses her research on multilateral non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the broader implications of European political dynamics, notably within NATO and post-communist Europe. Her insights will be pivotal in evaluating works that grapple with these pressing global concerns.

As the 2026 Lionel Gelber Prize approaches, the anticipation for high-caliber nominations reflecting critical international themes grows. The involvement of these experts in defining and promoting exceptional writing serves not only to uplift the authors but also to foster a greater understanding of the complexity of world affairs among the wider audience.

For updates and further information about the Lionel Gelber Prize, including the shortlist of nominated works and event details, visit the official prize website.