Love Lyssarides and Ewa Skoog Haslum named Alumni of the Year 2026

Journalist and foreign correspondent Love Lyssarides and Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum have been named Alumni of the Year 2026 at the Swedish Defence University.

Love Lyssarides and Ewa Skoog Haslum are recognised for their achievements in journalism and military leadership respectively, and for the ways in which they use their knowledge and experience to contribute to society.

Making sense of the world’s conflicts

Love Lyssarides graduated from the Swedish Defence University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, specialising in crisis management and security. He now works as a journalist at Swedish Radio.

Award citation:

Love Lyssarides is named Alumnus of the Year 2026 for his significant contribution to strengthening young people’s understanding of societal and security issues at a time of uncertainty.

A journalist and radio producer, he graduated from the Swedish Defence University in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, specialising in crisis management and security. Since graduating, Love Lyssarides has developed his career with a focus on storytelling and investigative journalism. He is now a foreign correspondent at Swedish Radio, covering international news.

He has reported from several countries affected by insecurity and instability. By explaining complex developments in security policy in an engaging, factual and accessible way, he helps young people become better informed and more engaged.

His work has been recognised with several journalism awards, including the Swedish radio award Guldörat and the Prix Europa award for Best European Radio Documentary.

Hoping to inspire students to follow their own path

Love Lyssarides says that the knowledge he gained at the Swedish Defence University has played a significant role in his professional life.

"The insights and knowledge I gained at the Swedish Defence University have stayed with me everywhere, from gang violence in Haiti to wildfires in Los Angeles and war in Beirut. They have not only strengthened my journalistic skills but also helped me provide listeners with more nuanced and insightful reporting."

He describes being named Alumnus of the Year as an honour. He also hopes the award will encourage other students to have the confidence to follow their own path.

"I chose to become a journalist after graduating, which may not be the obvious career path for a Swedish Defence University graduate. I hope this can inspire others to think outside the box. The world is a big place, and there are many paths to take", says Love Lyssarides.

A pioneering leader in the Swedish Armed Forces

Ewa Skoog Haslum receives the award for her distinguished career in the Swedish Armed Forces and her clear and inclusive leadership.

Award citation:

Ewa Skoog Haslum is named Alumna of the Year 2026 for her distinguished and pioneering career in the Swedish Armed Forces. In 2010, she completed Chefsprogrammet, the Swedish Armed Forces’ highest-level programme qualifying officers for promotion, at the Swedish Defence University. Ewa Skoog Haslum is ourageous and determined, with a direct, clear and inclusive approach to leadership. Throughout her career, she has generously shared her experience and knowledge, including as a highly valued mentor. She is a role model both for future officers on the Officers’ Programme and for serving managers and leaders in military and civilian roles alike.

Ewa Skoog Haslum was promoted to rear admiral in 2019, becoming the first woman in Sweden to attain an admiral’s rank. In 2020, she became Chief of Navy and subsequently head of Joint Operations Command, also becoming the first woman to hold each of these posts. In these and other senior positions, she has helped develop operational capability and strengthen Sweden’s defence in a changing security environment.

Building networks at the Swedish Defence University

Ewa Skoog Haslum highlights the importance of the Swedish Defence University to her development, both as a student and later as Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

"My journey at the Swedish Defence University, from student to Deputy Vice-Chancellor, has been an extraordinary learning experience. It has also helped me build networks and given me insights I could never otherwise have gained. The rapid shifts in the security landscape that we see today call for tools beyond conventional approaches. The Swedish Defence University is an institution that keeps pace with developments in the world around us."

She also sees the award as an opportunity to highlight the responsibilities that await future leaders.

"For me, this award is more than personal recognition. It also provides a platform to remind the next generation of leaders of the gravity of the real-world operational challenges we now face together and are building our capacity to meet", she says.