Daniel Clarke Hagan, Programme Director for Construction and Project Management at Atlantic Technological University Sligo and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, has been confirmed as a member of the judging panel for the Engineering Excellence Awards 2026, bringing academic leadership, active construction industry research, and a career grounded in the practical and educational dimensions of engineering project delivery to the evaluation process.

Clarke Hagan leads the Construction and Project Management programmes at ATU Sligo, a role that places him at the interface of industry practice and academic development within one of Ireland's most active regions for infrastructure and construction activity.

His enthusiasm for furthering research within the construction industry is evident in his PhD research and publishing record, which spans factors affecting the construction industry across multiple research projects, with papers presented at conferences and published across industry and academic platforms in Ireland and the UK.

That commitment to evidence-based inquiry gives his panel contribution an analytical rigour that complements the practical experience found elsewhere on the judging panel.

His engagement beyond ATU reinforces a profile built on cross-institutional contribution. Clarke Hagan has delivered guest lectures at universities and colleges across Ireland and the UK, and has presented to industry audiences and at conferences, reflecting a genuine investment in advancing knowledge and standards across the engineering and construction sectors.

That breadth of engagement across academia and industry positions him to assess entries across the Engineering Excellence Awards with a perspective attentive to both innovation and the practical realities of engineering project delivery.

The Engineering Excellence Awards 2026 spans 26 categories recognising outstanding achievement across civil engineering, infrastructure engineering, structural engineering, sustainable engineering, renewable energy, manufacturing, and engineering innovation.

Clarke Hagan joins a panel that includes Judging Coordinator Matt Cotterell of MTU, Professor Brian Caulfield of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Brian Deegan of the University of Galway, Dr John Mulvihill of the University of Limerick, Niall Hanley of JJ Rhatigan, James McNamara of TUS, Tom Rowan of Rowan Engineering, and Barry Williams of Mott MacDonald Ireland.

The awards gala will take place on 21 October 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Visit the official Engineering Excellence Awards website to explore last year's shortlist, review category details, and subscribe to the newsletter for updates ahead of the shortlist announcement.