J. W. R. Whitehand Prize for the Best Ph.D. Thesis in Urban Morphology (Tqhird Edition)

The prize, awarded by the International Seminar on Urban Form every two years, identifies the best recent PhD thesis in Urban Morphology. The evaluation of proposals is based on the work’s innovation, quality and rigour – three of the central characteristics of J. W. R. Whitehand’s own work in the study of urban form. 

Theses nominated must fit clearly into the field of urban morphology; within the field, the prize acknowledges any perspective or theme, written in English language. Theses can be nominated by authors, supervisors, examiners or other morphological practitioners. The nomination should include a brief overview, in English, comprising an abstract, a brief synopsis of the research work, and the main outcomes (2,500 words maximum). The prize jury includes three members nominated by ISUF Council in discussion with J. W. R. Whitehand’ s family. For 2026 the President of the Jury will be Susan Whitehand. 

The award of the prize will be during ISUF’s Santiago de Chile Conference in September 2026. Applications should be submitted by email to the ISUF President, at vitorm@fe.up.pt by May 1, 2026. The PhD must have been awarded for nominated theses between 1 May 2024 and 1 May 2026.