In a world where everything becomes a shorter version of itself — essays become op-eds, op-eds turn into blog posts, and blogs sometimes get shortened to tweets — the Sidney prizes stand athwart technology, yelling “stop!” These annual awards celebrate some of the year’s best long-form journalism and thought. They were created to encourage people to step back from the daily grind, look at the bigger picture and think critically.
The prize is named in memory of Professor Sidney Thomas, who joined the Department of History in 1961 and served as Chair from 1985 until his retirement. Originally trained as a Shakespeare scholar, Thomas turned to art history as his primary academic interest. He edited two benchmark publications in this field: Art and Ideas in Western Civilization and The Nature of Art.
Awarded by the Department of History in honour of a distinguished Canadian historian and Trent alumnus, this prize is awarded to the most outstanding essay written by a first-year student in the History program. The prize was established in 1989 in honour of Donald Chase, who earned a PhD from Trent in 1978 and went on to hold a number of senior positions, including President of the Canada Council, Master of Lady Eaton College and, from 1999 until his death, member and chair of the Department of History at the University of Toronto.
A prestigious award, the Edelstein Prize honors an outstanding book on the history of technology that is both intellectually stimulating and accessible to non-specialist readers. The book will be published by a university press and must have been completed and available to the general public within three years of the award date. The prize is funded by a bequest from Addison Brown, LL.B, 1855.
In this era of political polarization, it is more important than ever to understand the history and legacy of democracy and the development of civil rights and liberties. The scholarship and teaching of the Sidney Centre are essential tools in this endeavour.
The Sydney Taylor Book Award is an annual award for books in English that are outstanding examples of quality and achievement in Australian history. It is the only NSW history prize which recognises books that are published, broadcast or screened and made commercially and/or publicly available in 2024.
This prize was created by the family of Dr. Sidney L. Schenck to recognise his significant contribution to the field of Australian military and maritime history. The award is open to undergraduate students, honours and graduate students who have produced an essay in the field of Australian military or naval history that contributes substantially to Australian historical understanding and awareness.
The Sidney Hillman Prize is awarded annually to journalists, writers and public figures who pursue social justice through their work in traditional and new media forms. The prize is sponsored by the Hillman Foundation, a philanthropic organisation based in Los Angeles. The foundation is known for its ties to Hollywood and its deep involvement in social activism.