The RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate outstanding plans, projects, homes and people that demonstrate the power of planning. These awards shine a light on how planning and planners make a positive difference to our quality of life, creating exceptional places and protecting our environment.  With 16 categories across four key areas these awards showcase the very best of our profession.

RTPI judges make up an expert panel whose role it is to evaluate our entries each year. We have judging panels in each region and nation, and national judges.

Role title

RTPI Awards judge - nation or region

Outline of role

As a judge, you'll play a vital part in recognising excellence in planning at a local level

Your role includes:

• scoring each entry against specific criteria using our online platform
• recommending winners and commended entries to the head judge
• for project and homes categories: taking part in a site visit for those shortlisted
• for the Young Planner category: conducting online interviews with shortlisted candidates
• working to the agreed timeline
• writing a 300-word site report for each shortlisted project.
• updating the awards platform once site visits and interviews are completed.

Contact sarah.woodford@rtpi.org.uk for further details.

Eligibility criteria/We're seeking judges who bring:

• an analytical approach with the ability to evaluate work objectively
• strong appreciation of the awards criteria
• experience of working in the public and private sector

Minimum time commitment

Depending on the number of entries, the time commitment requirement may vary year on year. 

As an estimate, the timings are:

• an induction session to familiarise you with the judging process
• online judging of the entries – two to three hours
• shortlisting and winner selection meetings - three to five hours
• interviews for relevant categories:
  • site visits – one to three days 
  • interviews – approximately 20 minutes per interview, plus 10 - 20 minutes for questions and answers and discussion.

Length of term

We refresh our judging panels regularly, with judges invited to participate each year. 

Impact of the role

As part of your nation or region's judging panel, you'll help identify the entries that showcase exceptional placemaking and demonstrate planning's positive impact on the communities we serve.  Your expertise and insight will help celebrate and champion excellence in our profession.

How to get involved

Let us know you're interested by completing this form.

When to apply

We accept expressions of interest throughout the year.

Start date

Judging takes place between March and May in each nation and region and awards ceremonies take place in June and July.

Find out more

Get in touch with your regional manager or staff contact in the nations. You'll find the contact details, at the bottom of each region or nation home page on Find my RTPI