Applications are now open for the 2009 Young Planners’ Scholarship – a $15,000 international annual research prize sponsored by the Outdoor Media Association (OMA) and the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
Now in its third year, the scholarship provides a unique opportunity for second or third year planning students or recent planning graduates under 35 years with less than five years planning experience, to research how outdoor advertising is integrated and regulated in international cities.
Application forms are available for downloading at http://www.planning.org.au/ and http://www.oma.org.au/ All applications need to be submitted to the PIA by Friday, 28 August 2009.
A panel comprising representatives of the OMA and PIA, together with two independent academics, will determine the winning application.
The scholarship’s 2007 recipient, Mildura town planner Rachel Attwood, conducted her research on the regulation of roadside digital signage and presented her findings at this year’s PIA Convention in Darwin. Ms Attwood’s study tour included New York, London and Osaka. Her report is available at http://www.oma.org.au/
In 2008, Noosa town planner Colleen Keegan was awarded the scholarship after proposing to research the integration of outdoor adverting in cities which form part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Organisational (UNESCO) City of Design Network. These include Montreal, Buenos Aires and Amsterdam. Ms Keegan will present her findings at next year’s PIA conference and the Young Planners YPConnect10 seminar.
OMA Chief Executive Helen Willoughby said interest in the scholarship had increased significantly due to growing awareness among the young planners’ community.
“The scholarship is aimed at giving Australia’s future city and regional planners an opportunity to tap into global practices and networks, and to develop their skills,” Ms Willoughby said.
“It is also a means for young people to further their careers and contribute to the knowledge base of the Australian planning community.”
Outdoor Media Association
http://www.oma.com.au/
