Daniel Vogels is the recipient of the 2026 Emerging New Talent Award, recognising an evaluator already making a significant contribution to evaluation practice, capability and community. Since beginning his evaluation career in 2021, Daniel has combined strong technical practice with a commitment to making evaluative reasoning visible, transparent and useful.
Daniel holds a Master of Evaluation and works as an Evaluator with the NSW Department of Education, where he contributes to and leads evaluations and co-leads a team of 13 evaluators.
His work includes leading the evaluation of HSC Professional Learning, which was recognised with a NSW Premier’s Award for Excellence in Evaluation in 2023.
Daniel has also played a central role in building evaluation capability and community. He helped convene a community of practice that has grown to around 500 members and regularly shares his work at AES and departmental conferences.
A particular focus of Daniel’s practice is strengthening the transparency of evaluative reasoning—making clear how evidence leads to conclusions and judgements. His growing contribution to both evaluation practice and the profession makes him a worthy recipient of the 2026 Emerging New Talent Award.
About the Emerging New Talent Award
This Award recognises emerging evaluators who have been working in the field of evaluation for fewer than five years. In this time, they will have made a significant contribution to the profession or practice of evaluation and will have demonstrated both quality and effectiveness in their work. Contributions may include evidence of leadership in professional activities or substantial accomplishments in their work and voluntary activities.