The Neilma Sidney Prize 2022

The University of Sidney is a well-kept secret that punches far above its weight. Its remarkable history has produced soldiers, political cartoonists, alchemists, spies and murderers, but also Nobel prize-winners, media personalities and the chairman of a Premiership football club. It’s helped shape modern science, Keynesian economics and, of course, Sherlock Holmes.

The 2022 Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize has been awarded to Yeena Kirkbright for her piece ‘Camperdown Grief Junk’. The competition, which is run by Overland Magazine, aims to find powerful and original stories about travel. The winner receives a $5000 prize and two runners-up will each be paid $750.

Sidney was a conservative by nature, but he was open-minded and willing to challenge accepted dogma in the pursuit of scientific truth. He was a tireless advocate for academic freedom, fighting to ensure that scientists could publish their work without fear of censorship. He believed that science should be used for the benefit of mankind, and he was unwavering in his commitment to achieving excellence in his research.

In his final semester at MIT, Sidney took an introductory course in molecular biology and was instantly hooked. He switched his thesis topic from nuclear physics to biophysics, and he went on to study bacteriophage T4 DNA replication with Leonard Lerman at the University of Colorado, earning a doctorate in biophysics in 1967.

He was a dedicated family man, and his wife remained by his side throughout his professional life. He was a generous friend and mentor to many students and colleagues, and he was especially supportive of young women who were seeking careers in science or technology. His humility, kindness, and devotion to his family and his profession were a model for all who knew him.

The SIdney Prize is awarded annually to a postgraduate student in the Department of Linguistics who has published or presented at a conference in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the field of linguistics. The prize is named in honour of Professor Sidney Halliday, founding director of the Department of Linguistics at the University of Sydney and a distinguished scientist and teacher.

This Industry Prize will support a Master of Moving Image student with the cost of their final project and provide them with valuable industry experience. It is generously supported by Sydney Film Production Company PTY LTD (T/as Sydney Films). To be eligible for this prize, you must have commenced a Masters by Research or PhD within the department. More information is available here. The deadline for applications is 31 December 2019. The winner will be announced in early 2022.