Chicago, IL, July 16, 2026 – The Society of Actuaries honors Dr. Jean-François Bégin, an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, as the 2026 recipient of the SOA Actuarial Science Early Career Research Award. The award recognizes the outstanding work of his research program and the contributions this has made to the actuarial profession.
Before joining Simon Fraser University, he completed his PhD in Financial Engineering at HEC Montréal. He is also a Fellow of both the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA).
Dr. Bégin’s research seeks to strengthen the connection between academic research and actuarial practice, particularly in areas such as financial risk, longevity risk, retirement security, and the continually emerging challenges facing the actuarial profession. He recognizes the need for models that are not only mathematically rigorous but equally useful for understanding real-world financial and insurance problems.
His research program predominantly focuses on developing mathematical and statistical models for finance and insurance. Specifically, his research program focuses on constructing models for long-term economic and financial predictions, modeling and pricing of financial derivatives, analyzing volatility and option markets, and developing quantitative tools for managing uncertainty in insurance and pension systems. Through these complex quantitative methods, he aims to answer the most pressing questions faced by insurers, pension plans, policymakers, and financial institutions.
A highly accomplished researcher, Dr. Bégin has received several distinctions for his research contributions. He was the recipient of the first Young Researcher Award of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (CIA) in 2017, the 2019 Bob Alting von Geusau Prize from the AFIR-ERM Section of the International Actuarial Association (IAA), and the 2023 Early Career Faculty Research Award from Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Science. More recently, his work received a Highly Commended Award in the 2025 Peter Clark Prize from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Beyond his research and teaching, Dr. Bégin is dedicated to academic and professional service. He serves as Chair of the AFIR-ERM Section of the IAA, Past President of the Actuarial Science Section of the Statistical Society of Canada, and Chair of the Academic Research Committee of the CIA. He also previously served as Chair of the SOA’s Hickman Scholar Awards Committee and as a member of the Research Council of the CIA.
The SOA Actuarial Science Early Career Research Award recognizes professionals within the first ten years of their initial full-time academic appointment. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a strong record of impactful research published in peer-reviewed journals, with clear relevance to real-world actuarial practice. In addition, recipients must hold a credential from an organization recognized by the IAA or be actively working toward actuarial certification. Candidates from around the world are encouraged to apply.
About the Society of Actuaries
With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world’s largest actuarial professional organization with more than 35,000 actuaries as members. Through research and education, the SOA’s mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and enhance actuaries’ ability to provide expert advice and relevant solutions for financial, business, and societal challenges. The SOA’s vision is for actuaries to be the leading professionals in measuring and managing risk. To learn more, visit