Press Release

Antti Kuronen named Alumnus of the Year at Åbo Akademi University

Journalist and foreign correspondent Antti Kuronen has been named the Åbo Akademi University Alumnus of the Year for 2026.

Kuronen completed his Master’s degree in Economics (M.Soc.Sc.) at Åbo Akademi University in 2000. Throughout his career, he has gained renown for his reporting from some of the most inflamed conflict areas in the world.

As a foreign correspondent for Yle, he has reported in recent years from Gaza, Ukraine, Syria and Lebanon, among others.

He has also produced several noteworthy documentaries, including Raqqas mardröm (The Nightmare of Raqqa – 2018), I kvinnohandelns centrum (The Heart of Trafficking in Women – 2019), Ett år i al-Hol (A Year in al-Hawl – 2020) and Den ukrainska babyfabriken (The Baby Factory of Ukraine – 2021). He was awarded the Swedish Grand Prize for Journalism in 2019 for his reporting from the al-Hawl refugee camp in Syria. He has also received the Folktinget (Swedish Assembly of Finland) Conscience Prize and the Committee of 100 Peace Prize.

Kuronen has also shed light on other complex social issues, such as refugee crises, human trafficking and social injustice.

Kuronen was named Alumnus of the Year based on his work with key knowledge of global conflicts and their impact on both individuals and society. His reporting is characterised by accuracy, insight and the ability to convey an understanding of complex events. Through documentaries and news, he elucidates both political and economic contexts, while putting a focus on the human experience behind the headlines.

“Antti Kuronen is a true bridge-builder between people in different parts of the world, and a dignified and inspiring role model for Åbo Akademi University students as well as the entire university community,” says Marko Joas, Deputy Rector at Åbo Akademi University.

“It is so gratifying to be named Alumnus of the Year. Looking back, I cherish my time at Åbo Akademi University. It was my interest in social issues that brought me here, and that same interest later took me into journalism. Economics was my major, but the wide range of basic studies in social sciences gave me many valuable perspectives. I was also active in the Student Union and served as editor of the student newspaper Studentbladet, and much of the knowledge and skills I gained during my years of study still serve me well to this day,” says Kuronen.

The award will be presented at a ceremony to be held at Åbo Akademi University on Saturday, 29 November.