Frank E. Sysyn Receives 2026 ASEEES Distinguished Contributions Award

The Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies is proud to congratulate Dr. Frank E. Sysyn on receiving the 2026 ASEEES Distinguished Contributions Award, presented by the Association for Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies (ASEEES). The award recognizes outstanding lifetime contributions to the advancement of the field.

Dr. Sysyn is Professor of History and Classics at the University of Alberta and Director of the Peter Jacyk Centre for Ukrainian Historical Research at CIUS. For decades, he has been one of the leading scholars of Ukrainian history, shaping the development of Ukrainian studies through his pioneering research, teaching, mentorship, and institution-building.

His scholarship on early modern Ukraine, the Cossack era, and Ukrainian historiography has had a lasting impact on generations of researchers. He has also played a central role in major international scholarly initiatives, including serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Hrushevsky Translation Project, which is making Mykhailo Hrushevsky's monumental History of Ukraine-Rus' accessible to English-speaking audiences.

We warmly congratulate Frank on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his extraordinary dedication to advancing Ukrainian historical scholarship and strengthening Ukrainian studies worldwide.

Read the full ASEEES announcement: 2026 ASEEES Distinguished Contributions Award

Established in 1970, the Distinguished Contributions to Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies Award honors eminent members of the profession who have made major contributions to the field through scholarship of the highest quality, mentoring, leadership, and/or service. The prize is intended to recognize diverse contributions across Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies. 

Photo credit: Steven Brese