A MIDDLESEX University professor has been named Academic of the Year by a respected project management industry magazine.

Dr Darren Dalcher was given the accolade by Project magazine - topping a list of ten project managers which said of Dr Dalcher he is "one of the most well-known names in project management today".

Dr Dalcher is a professor of software project management at Middlesex University and the founder and director of the university's National Centre for Project Management in the UK, an inter-disciplinary centre of excellence operating in collaboration with industry, government and the learned societies.

Its aim is to set the national agenda and establish project management as a major profession and discipline in the UK.

Project magazine enthused: "As a tireless supporter of the profession, Professor Darren Dalcher appears to do the work of a small army of project managers and is a central figure in the discipline who continually raises professional standards and defines complex issues."

Speaking on hearing of the recognition, Dr Dalcher said: "I am delighted to be placed in such a prestigious company.

"In the last few years I have tried to focus on fostering dialogue across the more traditional barriers, including that between research and practice.

"Being voted into this group indicates that our voice is being heard and we are making progress."

Dr Dalcher's professional qualifications include being a fellow of the Association for Project Management (APM), a fellow of the British Computer Society and chartered information technology practitioner.

He is active in numerous international committees, steering groups and editorial boards.

A prolific writer, he has published over 150 papers and book chapters on project management and software engineering.

He is also the editor-in-chief of Software Process Improvement and Practice and is the editor of the new book series, Advances in Project Management.

Dr Dalcher added: "I have had the privilege of working with many exceptional project managers.

"I hope to be able to continue to work with many others through the activities of publishing, research and education."

Project Magazine is the voice of project management', is published ten times annually and is distributed to over 15,000 members of the APM.

Project is distributed to professionals in more than 70 countries around the world.