UCC MPlan student Róisín Murphy wins Irish Planning Institute Student Researcher of the Year Award

24 Apr 2025

• Róisín Murphy, UCC Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development student, was named joint winner of the IPI Student Researcher of the Year Award at the 50^th Anniversary Conference of the Irish Planning Institute.
• Róisín was recognised for her innovate design strategy for the Tivoli Docklands.

Róisín Murphy, UCC Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) student, has been named a joint winner of the inaugural Irish Planning Institute (IPI) Student Researcher of the Year Award, presented at the IPI’s Annual Planning Conference held in Galway.

The newly established award celebrates the high-quality, innovative and creative work being completed by planning students. Róisín Murphy, a second-year MPlan student, was honoured for her comprehensive design strategy for the Tivoli Docklands which she completed while in first year for the Principles of Urban Design and Placemaking module (PD6118), led by Ms Jeanette Fitzsimons, MPlan lecturer, qualified planner and urban designer.

Róisín’s urban design strategy focused on a well-connected and inclusive mixed-use neighbourhood as part of the future redevelopment of the Tivoli Docklands, facing onto the River Lee. 

The judging panel – comprising IPI President Gavin Lawlor, Planning Regulator Niall Cussen, and IPI Senior Planner Seán O'Leary – praised Róisín’s work for its clarity, ambition, and execution:

“In the opinion of the judging panel, Róisín’s submission of a comprehensive and well executed design strategy for the Tivoli Docklands completed as part of a first-year module successfully shows her grasp of a range of practical planning skills.”

Dr Karen Ray, MPlan lecturer, qualified planner and landscape specialist, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of Róisín’s hard work and talent as well as the innovation of such teaching and learning methods on the MPlan. It also underscores the value of students participating in events like the IPI Annual Conference. These experiences are vital for professional development - our students are the next generation of in-demand Irish planners, and their voices and input are already making a difference in shaping our planning future.”

Planning and Sustainable Development at UCC

Applications are currently open for the Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan) at UCC, starting in September 2025.

This professionally accredited programme equips students with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience needed to make an impact in the future of planning and sustainable development, both in Ireland and internationally. Planning has recently been added to the government’s Critical Skills List, encouraging students and graduates to consider a career in planning.