Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, drawn from the highest echelons of the Educational Institutions in Ireland and abroad, will determine the winners of the Education Awards.
Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from industry leaders who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving an Education Award.
The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.
A comprehensive judging process has been developed to decide the worthy winners of the Education Awards.
2023 Judging Panel

Willie Donnelly (Judging Co-ordinator)
Director of Research and Innovation, The Technical Higher Education Association THEA
Research Innovation and Engagement Director, The Technical Higher Education Association (THEA) Ireland. Previous Role: President, Waterford Institute of Technology (2015-May 2022). Created on led one of Ireland's leading academic research centre TSSG/Walton Institute.

Garry Allen
CTO, Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB)
After completing his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in TCD and DCU, Garry has working in the Further Education Field over the past 25 years. He has primarily focused on new course creation to create courses to meet the skills shortages in Ireland.

Declan Allen
Head of Logistics, Supply Chain and Project Management, Technological University Dublin
Head of Logistics, Supply Chain and Project Management at TU Dublin. WorldSkills Ireland’s Chief Examiner in Logistics. WorldSkills International’s Skills Competition for Logistics and Freight Forwarding Competition at WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Dr. Matt Cotterell
Head of School, Munster Technological University
Matt Cotterell is Head of the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Process Engineering (SoMEPE) in the Bishopstown campus of MTU. He holds bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from UCD and worked originally as a design/project engineer in the chemical/process industries.

Teresa Hurley
Project Manager, TU Dublin
Teresa has 30 years’ experience in academia and is currently Project Manager for Healthy TU Dublin from a previous Head of School of Management role at Technological University Dublin where she managed a range of undergraduate, postgraduate & executive education programmes.

Karen McAvinue
Erasmus & Europe Manager at Technological University of the Shannon
Karen McAvinue is the Erasmus & Europe Manager at Technological University of the Shannon. With extensive experience in international education, Karen is dedicated to enhancing student experiences and promoting global engagement.

Danielle McCartan-Quinn
Vice Dean Undergraduate Studies, School of Business, National College of Ireland
Danielle is Vice Dean of Undergraduate Studies within the School of Business in the National College of Ireland where she is responsible for a range of undergraduate programs in Business, Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management and Psychology.

Denise McMorrow
Head of Student Experience, Institute of Art, Design and Technology & Co-Chair of UNESCO Dublin Learning City
Denise McMorrow is Head of Student Experience in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and she is the Co-Chair of UNESCO Dublin Learning City. She has over 25 years’ experience in Education, Access, Inclusion and Diversity. She provides leadership in the integration of the student services functions and for the provision of high-quality support systems and wellbeing services for students. She has very extensive communication, people management and relationship building skills and she ensures appropriate working partnerships are in place with colleagues, students, and external stakeholders, which are conducive to effective student support and wellbeing and facilitating lifelong learning and an inclusive environment for all.

Paul Mullally
Director, Education Lighthouse
Paul has been directly involved with student recruitment from a range of different countries and regions, and more recently he has been an international education consultant and has worked with institutions in Ireland, UK, US, Australia, and NZ to help with their internationalisation strategies.

Celestine Rowland
MD, Galway Business School / Galway Cultural Institute
Celestine Rowland is the founder and Managing Director and is responsible for stetting the strategic goals and corporate governance of the company. She drives the ethos and culture of the organisations and engages with external stakeholders in the development of the educational offering.

Dr. Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin
Atlantic Technological University Transformation Project Manager – ATU Donegal
Ciarán Ó hAnnracháin has worked in tertiary education, both public and private, for over 30 years in the Irish, UK, US, and Swiss education systems, predominantly working in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management and Education Leadership.