UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Religious Education
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Research

Research in Religious Education embraces philosophy of religions and moral education as well as empirical study into those areas. Current research activities cover a variety of topics, such as: religious upbringing and religious schooling within major religious communities in Glasgow, moral education and citizenship, spirituality and spiritual education, grief education, computer assisted assessment in Religious Education.

One of the particular foci of research is the politics and practices of Catholic Education.

Research Interests of the Members of the Department

The Department encourages research across a broad range of themes in the study of religious, moral and philosophical education. These currently include

Ideals in Education – Prof James C. Conroy (Dean of Faculty)

  • the philosophical and empirical investigation of the place of ideals in education
  • the ideals of educational professionals
  • the ideals of parents, families, carers and learners
  • ideals in religious, moral and spiritual education

Catholic Education – Prof James C. Conroy (Dean of Faculty); Dr Roisin Coll (Lecturer); Prof Robert A. Davis (Professor of Religious and Cultural Education);

The place of faith schools in secular societies

  • leadership in Catholic schools
  • Catholic teacher Formation and Development
  • Catholic ethos, mission and culture in school and community

Education and Liminality – Prof James C. Conroy (Dean of Faculty)

  • Liminal metaphors in Education
  • Education, Media and Consumption
  • the pedagogy of laughter
  • liminality, technology and the future of humanist education

Curriculum and Pedagogy – Dr Stephen McKinney (Head of Department); Ms Catherine O’Hare (University Teacher);

  • online learning and assessment in Religious Education
  • multi faith perspectives in Religious Education
  • sacramental theology and practice in Religious Education

Education for Global Citizenship – Prof James C. Conroy (Dean of Faculty); Prof Robert A. Davis (Professor of Religious and Cultural Education); Dr Stephen McKinney (Head of Deparment)

  • Catholic perspectives on global citizenship
  • development education
  • cross-cultural encounter and dialogue
  • the moral development of children and young people

Childhoods – Prof Robert A. Davis (Professor of Religious and Cultural Education); Mr Leon Robinson (University Teacher); Prof James C. Conroy (Dean of Faculty)

  • futures of childhood
  • postmodernism, childhood and education
  • art, imagination and religious education

Religious, Moral and Existential Questions - Ms Mary Lappin (Lecturer); Dr Stephen McKinney (Head of Department)

  • Grief and Loss Education
  • Relationships and Sex Education
  • Personal Search Education

Anyone interested in research into these or other topics in Religious Education should contact the Department. We welcome applications for Masters and Doctoral research from suitably qualified graduates in Education, Theology, Philosophy, or a related discipline. We particularly welcome applications from teachers or other professional educators concerned with these issues.

For further information please contact:

Dr Stephen McKinney
s.mckinney@educ.gla.ac.uk
++44 (0) 141 330 3051/3434