The Sidney Prize honors journalism in service of the common good. Its monthly award recognizes work that uncovers injustices, raises social consciousness or helps people organize for change. Winners receive $500, a bottle of union-made wine and a certificate designed by New Yorker cartoonist Edward Sorel. The Sidney Prize is sponsored by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, and administered by Overland.

Winners are announced on the second Wednesday of each month. The call for entries opens on November 12 and closes on January 15 in the U.S and Canada respectively. Submissions are accepted by subscription only, and include a discount on entry fees and a one-year Overland subscriber membership (four print issues, daily access to our online magazine and invitations to subscriber events, opportunities and giveaways). Subscribers also have the option to upgrade to a two-year membership for an additional discount on the entry fee.

This year’s judges, Patrick Lenton, Alice Bishop and Sara Saleh, selected a shortlist of eight pieces from over 500 entries. They chose a winner and two runners-up to be published at Overland in our autumn 2024 issue. We would like to thank the judges for their hard work and commitment to the integrity of our blind-judging process.

Runner-up: “Who Rattles the Night?” by Claire Aman

In the face of increasing state income tax collection efforts, some low-income taxpayer clinics are helping residents fight back. Reporter Maya Srikrishnan spent more than a year examining a wide range of state policies and speaking to the people behind them—including legislators, budget directors and tax experts. She also fought to get access to state records and surveyed every county with an income tax.

Winner: “Bad Boys and Bad Girls” by Ashley Clark

Across the country, juvenile delinquents are ejected from their homes and placed in foster care, often with their families. Many are then sent to prison. Their cases show that the system is flawed and that many youth are pushed into a criminal justice system with no help from family or community. This piece, which won a Sidney, is the result of a year-long investigation by the Washington Post’s Joe Yerardi and reporter Maya Srikrishnan.

The Sidney Hook Memorial Award honors national distinction in scholarship, undergraduate teaching and leadership in the cause of liberal arts education. This award is supported by the Phi Beta Kappa Society and awarded in the name of former Phi Beta Kappa President Sidney Hook. Nominations are solicited a year and a half in advance of each Triennial Council meeting, in the Key Reporter and on social media.