The Sidney Prize and Neilma Sidney Short Story Prizes
The society’s Sidney Prize recognizes national excellence in scholarship, undergraduate teaching and leadership within liberal arts education. This year’s winner is York University professor Edward Jones-Imhotep for his book The Unreliable Nation: Hostile Nature and Technological Failure in the Cold War (MIT Press). Only two Canadian faculty members have won this prestigious prize over its 50 year history!
Established to honor Professor Sidney Cox of Dartmouth College, the Sidney Cox Prize seeks to promote scholarship in English literature. Initially awarded for graduate student papers written in Old or Middle English, its scope has since broadened to encompass early modern literature papers, literary theory histories and book history in general. Administered by a committee composed of former students and friends of Professor Cox; Robert Frost ’96 and Budd Schulberg ’36 serve as honorary chairmen.
In addition to the annual Hillman Prizes, the foundation presents the monthly Sidney Award. This prize recognizes outstanding socially-conscious journalism pieces and winners receive $500 along with an official certificate designed by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Sorel as well as a bottle of union-made wine. Nominations for these prizes can be submitted here.
Annie Zhang, an award-winning writer and editor living on unceded Wangal land in western Australia, has won the 2023 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize with her story ‘Who Rattles the Night?’ published in Overland. Judges lauded Zhang’s “sharp writing and deft handling of complex themes”, noting she will undoubtedly become a force to reckoned with in future competitions.
The Society for the History of Technology recently honored York University Professor Edward Jones-Imhotep with its 2018 Sidney Edelstein Prize for his book titled: The Unreliable Nation: Hostile Natural and Technological Failure in Cold War Conflict (MIT Press). Professor Jones-Imhotep becomes the first faculty member from any Canadian university to win this prestigious book award that recognizes history of science, technology, and industry.
Jones-Imhotep is an adjunct professor in the Department of History within the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and currently teaches HIST 1777: Disasters and History. He has written extensively on technological change as well as its effects on society and culture; in addition, he’s currently writing his second book regarding globalization of science and technology.
This prize, administered by the New South Wales Historical Association, includes several categories. These include the NSW Community and Regional History Prize, NSW Family and Local History Prize and NSW Military History Prize as well as several others like Sir Samuel Evans Medal for an essay that contributes significantly to Australian history knowledge as well as Sydney Taylor Book Award (books with broad appeal) and NSW Young People’s History Prize (works increasing understanding and appreciation of history by young people). Entries close on Thursday 3 April 2025 for more details visit competition website