A sidney prize is an award that recognizes people who have done a great job for humanity. It can be a wonderful way to reward those who have contributed to the world and encourage others to do so as well. There are a number of different awards that can be given out depending on the kind of work that is being done. Some of them may have a cash value while others may just be an achievement certificate.
The New York Times columnist David Brooks has established the SS Sidney Prize, named after philosopher and political theorist Sydney Hook, to honor the year’s best long-form essays in politics and culture. This year’s winner was Amanda Hess for her article on student hypersensitivity, in which she describes how students seek safe spaces in case they are assaulted by microaggressions. She describes this phenomenon as “vindictive protectiveness,” and argues that it leaves young adults unprepared for the real world.
Dr. Kate Carte has won the 2023 SS Sidney Prize for her book Religion and the American Revolution: An Imperial History (Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture and University of North Carolina Press, 2022). The SS Sidney prize is awarded annually to an advanced graduate student or recent PhD for an outstanding essay stemming from dissertation research that contributes significantly to scholarship in the history of Christianity. The winning essay will be published in Church History.
For the first time, Overland has also announced a winner of its 2022 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize. Yeena Kirkbright’s ‘Camperdown Grief Junk’ won the $5000 prize, which was selected from a shortlist of eight entries. The two runners-up received $750 each, Zoe Meager for ‘Together’ and Miso Bell for ‘Thirsty Trees’. The winning story will appear in Overland’s summer issue.
The SS Sidney Hook Memorial Award was created in memory of the distinguished Phi Beta Kappa scholar and his commitment to the ideals of liberal education. The annual award, which is worth $50,000, is granted to a scholar who has achieved national distinction in scholarship, undergraduate teaching, and leadership in the cause of liberal arts education. The winner is selected by a committee of scholars from Phi Beta Kappa member schools. The deadline for nominations is the last day of each month. Nominations are accepted for either one’s own writing or that of someone else. The winner is honored at the Society’s Triennial Council meeting. The Society is proud to support this prestigious award. The award is made possible by a generous grant from the John Dewey Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to promote the public understanding of philosophy, science, and literature.