Sidney prize is an award that recognises people who have made a difference to the world. These can be scientists, writers, or activists who have worked to improve the lives of many people. These awards are a great way to show appreciation for the work that these people have done and also encourage others to follow in their footsteps. There are a number of different prizes that can be awarded, and each one has its own criteria for nomination.
In 2004, New York Times columnist David Brooks established the SS Sidney Prize, which is given to long-form essays on politics and culture. The first prize was given to Amanda Hess for her piece on online sexism, and the most recent was given to Brooks and William Zinsser for their piece on student hypersensitivity, which can lead to mental health issues and prevent students from being prepared for the real world. The foundation also awards a monthly SS Sidney journalism award for investigative journalism in service of the common good.
The Sidney Thomas Prize was founded in honor of Professor Sidney Thomas (1915-2009). In addition to teaching art history at Syracuse University, he edited two benchmark publications in this field: The Nature of Art (with John Gassner, 1964) and Images of Man: Selected Readings in Arts and Ideas in Western Civilization (with Mikiso Hane, 1972). His humility and sense of fair play made him an exceptional role model for young scientists, and his commitment to communicating complex ideas simply ensured that non-scientists could understand the importance of the scientific process.
Sidney was willing to challenge accepted dogma in the laboratory, but he was very cautious and always sought to back up his ideas with solid experimental evidence. He believed that it was a scientist’s responsibility to question current knowledge and stand up for what they believe in. He was an excellent role model for all young scientists, and it is hoped that his example will inspire future generations of scientists to do the same.
The Sydney prize is an annual award that honours a person or organisation for their contribution to Australia’s culture, society and economy. The winner is chosen by a panel of judges who consider the nominee’s past achievements as well as their potential to make an impact in the future. Previous winners have included the Black Lives Matter movement, an international organisation devoted to promoting human rights and non-violence. The Sydney prize is sponsored by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, which was established in 2000.