In today’s busy world, it can be easy to let the flurry of daily life distract us from the important things. But a sidney prize serves as an antidote to this mental fatigue, and reminds us that longform journalism and thought pieces still matter. These prizes also encourage us to consider our impact on the world and strive for better, more inclusive, more diverse societies.
The Sydney Prize was created to honor Dartmouth professor Sidney Cox, who believed that writing could be used to achieve a variety of creative pursuits and serve as an encouragement to students to pursue their dreams. This award is meant to recognize undergraduate writing that most closely reflects the high standards of originality and integrity set by Professor Cox. It is open to all students, regardless of major or minor. The winning entry will be published both online and in Overland magazine. The winner and two runner-ups will be awarded $5,000 each.
Another prestigious sidney prize is the Andrew Gemant Prize, which was established in 2023 to recognize individuals who have worked to bridge the gap between art and science. This year’s winner was physicist and author Sidney Perkowitz, who has been dedicated to connecting art with media coverage of science. He has used a range of mediums to connect the public with the cultural, artistic, and humanistic aspects of physics.
Other notable sidney prizes include the New York Times prize, which is given to outstanding investigative journalism that highlights social and economic injustices. Past winners have included a New York Times series on Haitian debt and ProPublica’s article on privatization of hospice care. The Sidney Hillman Foundation also awards a monthly prize for journalism that exposes labor rights abuses. Its board of directors includes Workers United and SEIU leader Bruce Raynor.
In addition to these sidney prizes, there are many other ways to win recognition for your work. One way is to enter the Sydney Taylor Book Award, which recognizes the best book on religion written by a North American scholar in 2024. Other notable sidney prize-winning books include Catholic Spectacle and Rome’s Jews: Early Modern Conversion and Resistance by Emily Michelson and Heathen: The Meaning of Race in America by Kathryn Gin Lum. To learn more about the award and its history, visit its website. To receive updates about the award, you can also subscribe to its newsletter. In addition, you can also choose to opt-in to receive communications from Destination NSW and West Sydney, which will feature travel deals and tips. By choosing to opt-in, you agree to release the promoter and prize providers from any liability incurred in connection with the promotion, receipt, or use of the prize. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.