The AESOP Excellence in Teaching Award celebrates outstanding achievements in planning education across the AESOP community. Once again this year, the ETA Committee received a number of excellent submissions showcasing innovative pedagogical approaches, inspiring learning environments and a strong commitment to preparing the next generation of planning professionals.
After a careful evaluation of all submissions, the Committee is delighted to announce that the 2026 AESOP Excellence in Teaching Award has been awarded to:
Alejandro de Castro Mazarro & Neelakshi Joshi,The Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) – TU Dresden, Germany
for their module:
"Global Perspectives in Spatial Development"
The Committee was particularly impressed by the course's outstanding and highly innovative pedagogical design. The strong alignment between learning objectives, inquiry-based teaching methods and assessment strategies creates a stimulating learning environment in which students actively engage as critical "spatial investigators" addressing real-world socio-ecological conflicts.
The Award Committee also recognised the originality of the module, particularly its integration of forensic spatial analysis, narrative inquiry and the reflective use of generative AI within planning education. Combined with its close integration of theory and practice, its international and inclusive learning environment, and its focus on major global challenges such as spatial justice and sustainability transitions, the course represents an outstanding contribution to contemporary planning education.
AESOP warmly congratulates Alejandro de Castro Mazarro and Neelakshi Joshi on this well-deserved recognition and thanks all applicants for their inspiring contributions to excellence in planning education.
A more detailed presentation of the winning module is available on the AESOP Excellence in Teaching Award Archive.
