The UQ|UP course on Exploring Development Complexities (PLAN3200/7200, coordinated by Sonia Roitman, Ron Johnstone and Karen McNamara) has won a major international award for curriculum innovation.

The award honours excellence in teaching and design of learning experiences that are accessible, engaging, and effective for all students. It recognises educators who develop and implement courses to help prepare future planners to solve economic, social, and environmental challenges facing communities worldwide, with measurable student success. The award is given by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy (USA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (USA).

PLAN3200/7200 is a field trip course in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. UQ students spend two weeks in the field working with Planning students from Universitas Gadjah Mada and learning from urban and rural communities on real-life development problems. The innovative aspect of the course is the ‘hands-on’ experience provided to students, and the involvement of several key strategic partners in Yogyakarta: Department of Architecture and Planning (Universitas Gadjah Mada), ArkomJogja, Kalijawi community, Lingkar Association, Yogyakarta municipal government, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Provincial government, Habitat for Humanity Yogyakarta, Sukunan village, Kampung Code community, and urban and rural communities in Yogyakarta. The course has run annually since 2015 for students in planning, environmental management, geography, social science, development, and project management.