The Sydney Prize is awarded monthly to a piece of journalism that illuminates an injustice issue. We are especially interested in reporting on social justice and other issues of public interest that may not get the attention they deserve. Whether book, newspaper, magazine, broadcast, or opinion/analysis, entries must exemplify reportorial excellence and storytelling skill as well as social justice impact. Since 1950, Hillman Foundation has honored journalists who pursue investigative reporting and deep storytelling in service to the common good. Distinguished alumni of the Sidney Prize include Ta-Nehisi Coates, Rose Arce, and Ed Yong.
This industry prize assists the winner with the cost of producing their final project. It is a joint prize of the University of Sydney and Sydney Film Production Company PTY LTD (T/A Sydney Films). The Prize was established in 2021 through the donation of Sydney Films to the University of Sydney. The prize is offered in memory of the late Lucy Firth.
Established in 2024 by the NSW Premier’s NSW Science and Engineering Awards, the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize is open to Australian writers of all ages and experience who write about travel, the natural world or a sense of place. The first prize is $5000, and the two runners-up receive $2500 each. The winning story will be published in Overland, and the three shortlisted stories will be published online. The judging panel in 2023 included Patrick Lenton, Alice Bishop and Sara Saleh.
In the tradition of Sidney Hook, this annual prize honors writers whose essays on politics and culture reflect contemporary American scholarship and commentary. It is funded by the Lucy Firth Honours Thesis Prize, and the selection criteria include: quality of thesis, and that the student’s study has been impacted by circumstances.
The SS Sydney Award, named for American philosopher Sidney Hook, celebrates writing that contributes to the defense of academic freedom and the integrity of scholarship. It is the highest honour that the National Association of Scholars offers to an individual for his or her contributions to the aims of the organisation.
This prize is awarded annually on the recommendation of the Head of Department to the student who has achieved outstanding results in senior units of study in the major in Philosophy and meets other requisite conditions. This Prize is financed by the Lucy Firth Bequest made in 1997.
This prize is awarded on the recommendation of the Head of the Department to the postgraduate research student enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Economy at the University of Sydney judged most meritorious. The aim of the Prize is to encourage students who are studying for a PhD degree in the field of political economy at the University of Sydney and who have been impacted by extenuating circumstances during their studies.