The Sydney Prize recognises leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence. With the support of the City of Sydney, our Laureates continue their work for a fairer and more just world.

The prize was established in 1968 and awarded through the courtesy of the late Sidney Edelstein, an expert on the history of dyes and founder of a successful specialty chemical manufacturing company. The prize is awarded annually to a scholarly book in the field of the history of technology published during the previous year. The winner receives $3500 and a plaque.

Named for philosopher Sidney Hook, the Sidney Awards are presented by the National Association of Scholars at its national conference to an individual who has demonstrated distinction in scholarship and undergraduate teaching and has made contributions to the defense of academic freedom. The award is intended to honor the spirit and memory of Dr. Hook, who was a lifelong champion of the liberal arts.

Nazanin Boniadi has been announced as the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize winner for her commitment to promoting women’s rights in Iran. Boniadi has been a longtime advocate and actress for human rights, having appeared in many films and TV shows about the country.

Dr. Emily Michelson (University of St. Andrews), Catholic Spectacle and Rome’s Jews: Early Modern Conversion and Resistance (Princeton University Press, 2022) received the prize for the best work in the history of Christianity by a North American scholar published in the previous calendar year. The prize will be presented at a special ceremony at the Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize is open to all Australian writers over the age of 18. Submissions are assessed blind by a panel of judges, with first place receiving $5000 and two runners-up receiving $750 each. The winning story will be published in Overland’s autumn 2024 edition, and the runners-up will appear online alongside the issue.

We encourage submissions that take up the voice or experience of a marginalised or vulnerable identity, such as Aboriginal, gendered, disabled, religious, or sexual minority. If you are writing a piece that takes up this kind of theme, please let us know in your cover letter. This question is optional but will be visible to internal editors, unless you wish to have your response made public.

If you would like to be considered for this prize, take out a new subscription to Overland at our special subscriber rate and enter the competition. The closing date for entries is 30 June. The competition is open to all Australian residents, but Overland subscribers will receive preferential consideration for prizes and editorial positions. We will announce the winner of this year’s prize, as well as the shortlist, in July. All winners and runners-up will be notified by email. We’d also like to thank our judges, Patrick Lenton, Alice Bishop and Sara Saleh, for their hard work. We hope to see you next year.