A sidney prize is a way to recognise people who have made a positive impact on humanity. These can be scientists, writers or activists. A sidney prize can be a great way to reward them for their hard work and encourage others to follow in their footsteps. There are a variety of different types of sidney prizes available and they can be awarded on a national or state basis.
Physicist Sidney Perkowitz is the 2023 winner of the Andrew Gemant Prize, which honors individuals for their work connecting art, the media and literature to science. The selection committee praised his enduring commitment to bridge physics with the arts and humanities. He has created numerous works that illustrate scientific concepts in beguiling imagery and he is committed to using a range of media to communicate science to the general public.
The Sydney Prize was established in honor of Dartmouth College professor Sidney Cox, whose literary talent and enthusiasm inspired students to pursue their dreams. Each year, the prize recognizes one outstanding piece of undergraduate writing that best exemplifies the high standards of originality and integrity that he imposed both on his classes and his students. The winning paper is published in Overland and receives a cash award of $500. The winner is announced during an informal ceremony that resembles the weekly gatherings of students and their professors that Cox hosted for his writing class.
In addition to the Sydney Prize, Overland awards the Judith Wright Poetry Prize and the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize each year. Last year, poet Joanne Kotlarczyk won the Judith Wright Prize for her poem “The Birds of the Western Plain”. Yeena Kirkbright won the Neilma Sidney Short Story prize for her story, “Camperdown Grief Junk”.
Other sidney prizes are based on specific areas of study or can be decided on a national or state basis. For example, the Kate Carte Prize for Religion and the American Revolution is awarded by the University of North Carolina Press to a North American scholar for an unpublished article stemming from dissertation research that contributes to the history of Christianity. The Sydney Jewish Museum also offers a number of sidney prizes for essays that focus on Holocaust history.
The Hillman Sidney Prize was founded in 1950 and honors journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling in service to the common good. The foundation is deeply concerned about the responsibilities of a free press and aims to illuminate issues that are important to the world, such as the search for lasting peace, the need for better housing, medical care and employment security, and the fight against discrimination based on race or religion. The prize is awarded to journalists in a variety of mediums including daily and periodical press, radio and television and photography. There are no entry fees to apply for the Hillman Sidney Prize. For more information about the application process, visit the official website of the Hillman Foundation.