Sidney Prize: An award for excellence in undergraduate study
The Sidney Prize is a competition which recognises and rewards the best students in each subject area. This prize is a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements of outstanding students in the University and beyond, as well as to encourage and inspire others.
There are a number of prizes to be awarded each year, all with a value between $500 and $1000. They are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, personal attributes or contribution to society/student life and will be presented to a student at the conclusion of their final year of study.
Background
The aim of the Sidney Prize is to promote excellence in undergraduate research and provide an opportunity for postgraduate students to develop their thesis within a research environment. In particular the prize aims to encourage research and thesis writing which explores the intersections between different disciplines.
Eligibility criteria
The award is open to undergraduates of any subject area, who are enrolled in an undergraduate degree course at the University of Sydney during the year the prize is awarded. The award is made on the recommendation of the Chair of a unit or department in which the student is undertaking their research project.
Selection Criteria
The winner of this prize will be selected from students whose thesis has been submitted at the time of the annual Board of Examiners meeting. The student who has produced the best thesis in a relevant subject will be awarded the prize.
Description
The Prize was established in memory of Dr Stuart Rosewarne, a founding member of the Department of Political Economy who was a passionate advocate for public-engaged research that sought to challenge systemic processes of social exclusion and resistance. The Prize recognises the innovative development of social theory that engages with issues of class, gender and the environment in ways that support progressive causes.
Awards are made on the recommendation of the Head of the department and will be made in even-numbered years (e.g. 2022, 2023).
Selection criteria
The student who produces the best thesis in a relevant subject will win the prize. The student who has produced the best thesis on a topic that has been the focus of a public policy debate will be awarded the prize.
Awarded on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Archaeology, to the student whose work most distinguishes them at first year Archaeology, provided that the work is of sufficient merit.
Originally created in 1927 by a donation from Frank Albert, this Prize is now offered annually on the recommendation of the Chair of the Department to a student whose performance is most exceptional at the first year examinations in the Discipline of Anthropology.
In 1968 the Faculty of Economics and Business was renamed the Faculty of Science and Technology and the prize was re-established by a gift from Geoffrey Dale, one time Registrar of the Faculty. Awarded for proficiency at the first year examinations in Economics III Honours, provided that the work is of sufficient merit.