The sidney prize is an annual award administered by the Sidney Hillman Foundation and given to journalists, writers, public figures and organisations who pursue investigative journalism and public policy that serve the common good. Since 1950 the foundation has recognised outstanding work in the field of investigative journalism and public service.
In the first place, the prize celebrates journalism that exposes social and economic injustices. The judges consider a wide range of criteria such as the overall importance and impact of the journalist’s work, how the investigation was conducted, whether the reporter had used original sources, and the extent to which the investigation resulted in a positive change in society.
Moreover, the winners of each year’s prize are also honoured for their contribution to the community and their ability to inspire others through their work. In the past, Sidney prize winners have included Patrick Dodson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Arundhati Roy, Mary Robinson, Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein and Professor Joseph Stiglitz.
To find out how to apply, please visit the Sidney Foundation website. The application process is simple: simply complete the nomination form and attach a short statement explaining why you think you should be considered for the award. The committee will review your submission and contact you with further information about the competition.
The first prize is worth a $500 donation to an Australian charity of your choice, and will be awarded to an individual, organisation or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of the community. The Sidney Foundation aims to encourage social innovation and to raise awareness of the important work that is being done in Australia by charities.
Nominations for the 2019 Sidney Prize are now open until Friday, 14 November. If you would like to nominate a deserving person or organisation, please fill out the nomination form and attach a short statement. Nominations are open to all Australian citizens, residents and students.
A winner will be selected by the judges and announced at the awards ceremony in April. The judges are a panel of industry experts and the prize is presented by renowned historian Dr Michael Ramage, who is a Fellow at the University of Sydney.
In memory of Sidney Cox, Professor of English at Dartmouth College from 1927 to 1952, a new prize has been established by his former students and friends. The prize is open to undergraduates and will be awarded for the best piece of undergraduate writing submitted in competition.
During the 1580s, Sidney developed a distinctive style that combined elements of the classical court masque with modernism and experimentation in the use of quantitative verse. Among his earliest creations was The Lady of May, a pastoral entertainment written in 1578 or 1579 for Elizabeth’s visit to the estate of his uncle Leicester at Wanstead (then part of Essex).
In addition to this early work, which is generally thought of as a satire, Sidney wrote a number of serious works over the course of his career. These include The Defence of Poetry, Astrophil and Stella, the two versions of the Arcadia and a series of letters to his sister-in-law Mary Sidney Herbert.