The Sidney Prize for Journalism at Dartmouth University

The Sydney Prize is an innovative way of honoring those doing good work for humanity. By means of writing contests, activist awards or science prizes, this unique award gives significant amounts of money directly to individuals working towards making our world better. These funds may be used towards future plans or helping other to pursue their own ambitions.

This prize was established to continue Sidney Cox’s profound impact on Dartmouth students both inside and outside his classes. Each year it recognizes undergraduate writing that best meets his standards of originality and integrity for his classes; art history major Sophia Jactel won this year with her paper on Domesticity and Diversions: Josef Israels’ The Smoker as a Symbol of Peasant Culture and Role of Home in Nineteenth-Century Holland by Josef Israels (Art History Major).

Winners receive a $1,000 prize for their outstanding work and can attend the Sydney Prize Ceremony held by Overland in Melbourne in November where their entry will be presented. Furthermore, winners have an opportunity to submit their article for publication by Overland’s editorial team (subject to approval).

Prize categories for nonfiction books include book (nonfiction), book (nonfiction), newspaper journalism (story, series or multimedia; print or online), magazine journalism (longform; print or online) and broadcast journalism (television, radio or podcast coverage of at least 20 minutes in total package length). Submissions may be self-nominated without restrictions to their number; their impact is evaluated based on social impact evaluation criteria as well as originality, accuracy/clarity evaluation standards, rigor of research evaluation criteria, as well as their ability to tell compelling narrative stories. Nominated works will be evaluated according to social impact evaluation criteria which includes factors like accuracy/clarity evaluation criteria along with originality of research findings as well as its ability to tell an engaging narrative story.

The Sydney Peace Prize is presented annually by the Sydney Peace Foundation to a nominee who promotes “peace with justice”, human rights, and nonviolence. In 2013, after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in Trayvon Martin’s killing by US jury trial, three individuals received this honour – Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi were given awards named after former mayor Sir Sidney Myer who founded this award in 1971.

The Sydney Hillman Foundation recognizes excellence in journalism that serves the common good, following in the tradition of Sidney Hillman – union pioneer and New Deal architect – who emphasized working for collective good above individual gain. Our prizes and programs aim to build a vibrant union movement beyond shop floor labor relations – we uphold values held dear by Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America which serves as our founding parent union. Donations come from individuals as well as foundations. You can visit their website for full program guidelines, application instructions and past winners – click here!