Hoover Institution (Stanford, CA) — The Hoover Institution is excited to announce an essay contest and multimedia creator competition designed to honor the remarkable scholarship of Thomas Sowell, Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy.
Recognized globally for his contributions to economics, social theory, and public policy across six decades, Thomas Sowell continues to inspire and influence scholars and thinkers through his work. To celebrate his invaluable legacy, the Hoover Institution invites creators to participate in a multimedia competition and students to enter an essay contest, both focused on elevating the ideas and teachings of Thomas Sowell.
Now the author of nearly fifty books, Sowell has written on a variety of topics throughout his career, ranging from economics, history, social policy, and ethnicity to the history of ideas. He won the National Humanities Medal in 2002.
Some of his most famous books include Social Justice Fallacies (2023); Discrimination and Disparities (2018); Intellectuals and Society (2010); Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy (2000), now in its fifth edition; The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy (1995); and A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles (1987).
Multimedia Content Creator Competition
Participants in the creator competition are asked to submit a compelling video that addresses the question: What lesson or teaching from Thomas Sowell do Americans most need to learn or remember today?
By utilizing ideas and quotations from Sowell’s publications and public appearances, contestants should aim to produce content that captures an essential insight from Sowell’s work with direct applicability to an important cultural or public policy issue. Acceptable formats include animated content, clay or stop-motion animation, mini-documentary-style edited videos, and other explanatory video formats.
The maximum duration for submissions in the creator competition is three minutes.
Contestants must submit a copy of their final video file via the Award Force platform. A link to Award Force is available on the competition overview page. Judging criteria will include originality and effectiveness of the lesson, depth of engagement with Sowell’s work, production values, and alignment with Thomas Sowell’s viewpoint and the mission of the Hoover Institution.
Essay Contest
The essay contest invites participants to explore an important cultural or public policy issue through the lens of Thomas Sowell’s work. Essays should reflect a substantial understanding of Sowell’s ideas and demonstrate critical thinking and creativity. Submissions should not exceed 1,500 words.
Essays will be judged based on the originality and effectiveness of the narrative or argument, engagement with Sowell’s work, writing quality and style, and alignment with Sowell’s viewpoint as well as with the Hoover Institution's mission.
Deadlines and Contest Terms
The deadline to submit video content and essay entries is 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on August 31, 2025. Although AI tools may be used for research assistance purposes, so long as all sources are cited appropriately, the use of generative AI to produce content or final text for either the essay contest or the creator competition is strictly prohibited.
Please see the overview pages for both contests for full rules, terms, and conditions.
Winning essayists and content creators will be awarded $5,000 and offered the chance to attend an upcoming celebration of Thomas Sowell at the Hoover Institution with travel expenses covered.
For more information, please contact Jeffrey Marschner, assistant director of media and government relations, at jmarsch@stanford.edu or 202-760-3200.
Read more about the essay contest and how to apply here.
Read more about the creator competition and how to apply here.
More information about the Thomas Sowell celebration can be found here.
