Mary Sigourney's Vision Exemplified
The exceptional bodies of work submitted in 2024 made the judges' decisions particularly difficult. Accomplished in their own disciplines, our judges chose award-winning work from the past decade that has uniquely and positively impacted diverse populations, including the youngest among us, by expanding access and understanding of psychoanalysis. Spanning disciplines from the theoretical and academic to literature and art to social and political activism to culture and community, our recipients' work has the power to inspire and expand the reach of psychoanalysis for years to come.
“As I reviewed the work, I found it both humbling and encouraging to be a witness to the continued evolution of psychoanalysis .”
Myth or Truth?
For more than three decades, The Sigourney Award has honored exceptional contributions to the field of psychoanalysis on a global scale. Mary Sigourney’s independent trust established an Award to acknowledge and foster the integration of psychoanalytic concepts across various disciplines.
Our mission is to inspire individuals worldwide to either submit their work for consideration or nominate others whose contributions stand out. As members of The Sigourney Award’s Volunteer Advisory Council, we hope to offer facts that dispel untruths and help broaden worldwide recognition of the Award.
Ines Bayona Villegas, Columbia | Stefano Bolognini, Italy | Peter Fonagy PhD, OBE, FBA, FAcSS, FMedSd, United Kingdom | Glen Gabbard, MD, United States | Maria Teresa Savio Hooke, OAM, Australia | Mark Solms, MD, PhD, South Africa
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Contrary to the belief that The Sigourney Award is a culmination of a lifetime’s work, it is not a lifetime achievement award. Mary Sigourney stipulated that the award should recognize work accomplished within the decade preceding the award year, making it accessible to a broader range of professionals at various stages of their careers.
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While nominations are welcomed and valued, eligibility for The Sigourney Award is not contingent upon nomination by peers within the psychoanalytic community. Self-nominated and peer-nominated applicants undergo the same comprehensive evaluation process.
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Actually, The Sigourney Award honors contributions that employ psychoanalytic concepts in innovative ways across a diverse array of fields. Work eligible for consideration may include achievements in academic research, clinical practice, and other disciplines such as anthropology, the arts, child development, criminology, law, medicine, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.
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The work needs to be outstanding or innovative, not necessarily well-known. The Sigourney Award’s application process is designed to help applicants describe the impact of their work and how it has advanced psychoanalytic thought or principles within the ten year period prior to the Award.
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The work needs to be outstanding or innovative, The Sigourney Award is not restricted by geographic region or language barriers. The application process now accommodates submissions in over 150 languages.not necessarily well-known. The Sigourney Award’s application process is designed to help applicants describe the impact of their work and how it has advanced psychoanalytic thought or principles within the ten year period prior to the Award.
Winners In Their Own Words
Learn more about the diverse work of our winners. Each year topics continue to advance modern psychoanalytic concepts and techniques in new and inventive ways. Our 2024 Winners will launch their videos in 2025.
Welcoming the World!
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Mary’s Vision
Mary Sigourney created The Sigourney Award because she understood the significant contributions and lasting benefits of psychoanalysis, its ability to reduce human suffering, and its value in understanding human affairs.
Mary believed that psychoanalysis and the application of its principles extend well beyond psychoanalytic research, therapy, and teaching and wanted to recognize other types of work as well. Today, psychoanalysis embraces a range of philosophies, modern clinical theories, social advocacy, culture, art, and research. The Trust honors the expansion and connection of psychoanalysis to many fields of study and experience through The Sigourney Award.
Significant works by clinicians, theorists, teachers, artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and other professionals and organizations are eligible for the award. Applicants are strongly encouraged to cite specific examples of their work’s impact or influence on psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic thought or practice, or public awareness of psychoanalysis in any realm—academic, applied, theoretical, clinical, creative, or social justice.
About the Work
Join a conversation with The Sigourney Award Community. Learn more about the inspiring work directly from our past recipients in their own words.
Apply
Applicants are encouraged submit work that applies or contributes psychoanalytic principles to medicine, psychiatry, other sciences, the arts, literature, or film. Applications will be accepted from all geographic locations starting March 1, 2025.
Who is Eligible?
Past Honorees
Our community of 149 honorees represent the forward-thinking that founder Mary Sigourney envisioned. Explore the impact made by past Award Recipient’s work.
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