The winner was announced on 8 August 2022. In addition to the award, the winner also received a cash prize of $5,000.
Boonen’s research interests include risk sharing, capital allocation, applications of game theory in insurance, and longevity risk modelling. The SOA selected him for the Early Career Award for his ‘exceptional scientific contributions in actuarial science’ in the early stages of his academic career. The organisation praised his expertise in quantitative risk management and his multidisciplinary research focus. The SOA also recognised Boonen’s work in introducing and developing new economic methodologies and the publication of his work in leading peer-reviewed academic journals.

About the SOA

The Society of Actuaries is a US-based professional organisation with more than 32,000 actuaries as members worldwide. It is the world’s largest actuarial professional organisation. Its mission is to advance actuarial knowledge and enhance the ability of actuarial scientists to provide advice and solutions to deal with the challenges faced by businesses and society. The Actuarial Science Early Career Award is presented by the SOA’s Education & Research Section. The SOA launched the Early Career Award in 2021 to facilitate recognition of excellent research by young scholars and future academic leaders in the actuarial discipline. Boonen is the second winner of this award. Scholars within 10 years from the start of their first full-time academic appointment are eligible for the award.