University of the Built Environment academics receive top RTPI recognition
Posted on: 23 January, 2026
Professor Samer Bagaeen (l) and Charlotte Morphet (m) receiving her award from RTPI Immediate Past President Helen Fadipe
Two leading Urban Planning academics from the University of the Built Environment have been recognised at the highest level by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).
At an inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 21 January, Professor Samer Bagaeen formally took up his role as Vice President of the RTPI, joining the Institute’s presidential team.
At the same ceremony, Charlotte Morphet received a prestigious RTPI Presidential Special Award for 2025.
Together, the accolades mark a significant moment for the University’s influence within the planning profession.
Presidential leadership and a historic appointment
Samer was previously announced as the RTPI’s next Vice President and is the first RTPI President of Arab descent.
A long-standing contributor to the Institute, he has served on the RTPI General Assembly since 2012 and completed two terms as an RTPI Trustee.
Under the RTPI’s presidential progression model, Samer will spend one year as Vice President alongside Jan Bessell, inaugurated as RTPI President, before assuming the role of RTPI President himself in January 2027.
He said: “Together, we can harness the full potential of planning as a consistent and dynamic force for societal good. Let’s inspire the next generation, engage the public, and ensure planning leads the way for resilient communities.”
Samer is Head of the School of Town Planning at the University of the Built Environment and also serves as Technical Director at Arcadis in London.
National recognition for advocacy and inclusion
At the same event, Charlotte was awarded the RTPI Presidential Special Award 2025, recognising her sustained leadership and advocacy within the profession.
She is a Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning at the University of the Built Environment.
RTPI praised her “outstanding advocacy and leadership in raising the professional profile of planning through sustained engagement across networks that broaden professional reach, supporting greater visibility, inclusion and connection”.
The award reflects Charlotte’s extensive work on equality, diversity and inclusion within planning, including co-founding and co-chairing Women in Planning, researching gender in planning, and collaborating across multiple EDI networks in the built environment.
Charlotte said: “I was genuinely surprised and delighted to receive this award. Much of my work focuses on advocacy, inclusion and collaboration across the planning profession and the wider built environment.
“However, work on equity, diversity and inclusion is inherently collective, and I see this award as recognising the vital work of the EDI networks across the planning profession rather than the contribution of any one individual.”
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