Aim and eligibility
This award is aimed at students who are working towards or have recently completed a non-research university degree. It highlights the methodological rigour of the research, as well as the ability to link research and practice. It is open to:
1. Undergraduate and non-research postgraduate students who are enrolled in universities offering RTPI-accredited courses;
2. Everyone who completed an undergraduate or a non-research postgraduate course in universities offering RTPI-accredited courses between January 2024 and May 2025;
3. RTPI members who completed or are enrolled in an undergraduate or non-research postgraduate course between 1 January 2024 and 18 May 2025, regardless of their academic affiliation.
Only planning research submitted (for dissertations and theses) or first published (for any other piece of research) between 1 January 2024 and 18 May 2025 (inclusive) is eligible for entry.
Judging criteria
Entries to this category will be judged on the strength of the publication submitted. Entrants should use the ‘research summary’ section of the submission portal to draw the judges’ attention to these criteria.
- Relevance: addresses issues and themes of current concern and relevance to spatial planning.
- Robustness & methodology: evidence of a robust understanding of the current state of knowledge, and sound methodological reflection leading to the choice of an appropriate methodology and methods, an understanding of the theoretical stakes, critical thinking and a structured analysis.
- Outcomes: clearly presented results that respond to the research question and contribute to the better understanding of the subject.
