ATU announces key appointments to its Senior Leadership Team

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has announced key appointments to its Senior Leadership Team (SLT), which will play a central role in shaping the direction of the university.

This team brings together leaders with extensive experience in higher education, research and industry engagement, ensuring ATU continues to deliver high-quality education and impactful research across its nine campuses. These campuses are located in Donegal - at Letterkenny and Killybegs - as well as Sligo, Mayo, and Galway, providing a wide range of academic programmes.

READ NEXT: Final date approaches for Donegal County Council Christmas tree recycling scheme

The SLT currently includes the Registrar and Chief Academic Officer, the Chief Officer for Research, Innovation & Engagement and four new Faculty Deans. Recruitment for four additional positions to complete the Senior Leadership Team is expected to get underway in the next few months.

Senior Leadership Appointments
Dr Billy Bennett – Registrar and Chief Academic Officer
Dr Bennett has been pivotal in ATU’s development since its inception, previously serving as Vice President with responsibility for Academic Affairs in ATU. He has a distinguished career in higher education leadership and chairs several national boards. His focus is on advancing ATU’s reputation for excellence in teaching and learning:

“I am proud to have been part of the establishment of this new University, and I am looking forward to growing ATU’s reputation for excellence in teaching and learning and delivering innovative and transformative education as the university of choice for students in the northern and western region, and beyond.”

Dr Amelia Au-Yeung – Dean of Faculty of Business
Dr Au-Yeung brings over 20 years of experience in business education and leadership, having previously led the Claude Littner Business School to win the Times Higher Education Business School of the Year Award. She is passionate about embedding sustainability and innovation in business education:

“I am thrilled about this appointment. ATU is a progressive university and has made impressive achievements over the last three years since inception. I feel highly privileged to be joining the University’s Senior Leadership Team and work with many amazing and highly achieving colleagues in and outside the Faculty of Business to help the Faculty and the University achieve further heights.”

Professor Graham Heaslip – Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Computing
Professor Heaslip brings over 30 years of experience in education, having worked in Ireland, Finland and Australia. Prior to entering academia Graham spent fourteen years working in the Irish Defence Forces both at home and abroad in a variety of logistical appointments, as well as spending time seconded to Humanitarian agencies in a logistical capacity.

“It is a privilege to lead the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at ATU. Our ambition is firmly rooted in place—supporting regional industry, advancing technological capability, and addressing societal challenges through education and research. Working with colleagues, students, and partners, we will continue to strengthen ATU’s role as a driver of opportunity and innovation for the West and North West.”

Dr Paddy Tobin – Dean of Faculty of Design, Education & Social Science
Dr Tobin has nearly 30 years of experience at ATU and has led major initiatives in programme development, industry partnerships, and community projects. He also played a key role in establishing CREW (Creative Enterprise West). Dr Tobin leads a faculty that spans creative industries, education sciences, and social sciences, focusing on programmes and projects that deliver meaningful impact for communities across the region:

“This faculty brings together several areas of critical importance for our region, the West and Northwest; integrating programmes of study, research, projects and initiatives that involve our students and graduates directly in industry, schools, care institutions and many other organisations that are at the heart of our communities. We now have both the opportunity, and the responsibility, to deliver something unique and impactful for our regional society.”

Dr Joanne Gallagher – Dean of Faculty of Science and Health
Dr Gallagher brings extensive experience in academic leadership and research, including pioneering veterinary medicine education at ATU. She is committed to creating new education and research opportunities in the West and Northwest:

“As an academic leader and a proud native of Donegal, I am committed to driving growth in the West and Northwest of the country and to creating new education and research opportunities in the region. The formation of ATU has delivered a university of scale and impact providing a unique platform on which to become a disruptor in the higher education landscape, to challenge traditional sectoral norms and make meaningful, sustainable contributions to enhance our region.”

Dr Brendan Jennings – Chief Officer for Research, Innovation & Engagement
Appointed in October 2025, Dr Jennings leads ATU’s research and innovation strategy, enterprise engagement, and national and international collaborations. Formerly Vice President for Research & Innovation at TU Dublin, he has a distinguished track record in advanced communications research and fostering industry partnerships:

“I am delighted to return to my home region to take up this role at ATU, an institution that will be central to the Northern and Western region’s next phase of economic and societal development. Our graduates—confident, adaptable and curious—are the foundation of that future, and I look forward to supporting the university as it drives innovation, partnership and regional impact.”

Announcing the new appointments, Dr Orla Flynn, ATU President, commented: “Our leadership team should reflect ATU’s ambition to deliver transformative education and research that meets the needs of our students, communities, and industry partners. These appointments strengthen our capacity to innovate and collaborate regionally and globally, and I’m looking forward to filling the remaining roles as soon as possible.”

Maura McNally SC, Chair of ATU Governing Body, added: “ATU is building a leadership structure that will drive progress and impact across all areas of the university. The expertise and vision of this team will ensure ATU continues to serve as a catalyst for regional development and global engagement.”

The University will shortly be in the process of recruiting the remaining members of the Senior Leadership Team including Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Officer for People, Culture and Equality and Chief Administrative Officer.