Funders
Does Religious Education Work?
An Analysis of the Aims, Practices & Models of Effectiveness in Religious Education across the UK
Research Project Summary
Duration: December 2007 - December 2010
Funder and Value: Arts & Humanities Research Council’s Religion and Society programme, £365,326
Abstract: This three-year project is the first major research project undertaken by the Centre for Studies in Faith, Culture and Education at Glasgow University. The project is funded by the Arts & Humanities Research Council’s Religion and Society programme and is intended to create the single most comprehensive study to date of the state of religious education across the combined jurisdictions of the United Kingdom.
The study will unpack the various kinds of claims made with respect to Religious Education in the very different contexts of England and Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Using a combination of philosophical, theological and detailed ethnographic approaches, we intend conducting a study of the local (school-focused) social, cultural and pedagogical practices which shape the delivery of Religious Education.
- Research Team
- Project Proposal
- Research Questions
- Timetable
- Academic Publications
- Presentations, lectures, and papers on the development of the Project
Launch of Findings Conference
The conference will explore the findings and implications of our 3-year AHRC/ESRC ethnographic study of Religious Education in British classrooms; the most comprehensive investigation of its kind for more than a generation and will be of significance to teachers, adviser, policy-makers and religious groups amongst others
POSTPONED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER - PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE 1st March 2011 in the Senate Rooms, Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow
Programme
9.30am-10.00am – Registration and Coffee
10.00am - 10.10. Welcome and Introduction. Prof. James Conroy and Linda Woodhead
10.10 – 10.45am – Overview of project methodology and key findings. Prof. James Conroy and Dr Nicole Bourque
10.45 – 1 pm Paper session: An analysis of the aims of RE:
10.45am -11.15 am RE’s contribution to preparing students for life in a multicultural society – Prof. Vivienne Baumfield & Dr Nicole Bourque
11.15-11.35 am Coffee
11.35- 12.20 pm - The status of RE and the role of examination success – Dr. Karen Wenell & Prof. Bob Davis
12.20-1 pm- The capacity of RE to introduce students to religious language and concepts – Prof. James Conroy & David Lundie
1.00 pm-1.40 pm – Lunch
1.40 pm-2.40 pm – Drama performance and Discussion
2.40 pm-3 pm – Coffee
3 pm-4 pm – Roundtable Discusion Session – An analysis of the practices in RE:
Roundtable session 1: Policy and Curriculum Development: Dr. Philip Barnes,
- The role of textbooks: Dr. Karen Wenell
- School ethos, resource & subject status: David Lundie
- The emerging philosophy & ethics model of RE Prof. James Conroy
Roundtable session 2: Pedagogy and Classroom Practice: Prof. Bob Davis.
- Practitioner Enquiry findings: Prof. Vivienne Baumfield
- Questionnaire and Student Focus Group findings: TBC
- Dealing with controversial topics: Dr Nicole Bourque, Kevin Lowden
4.00-4.30 – Panel Discussion and Plenary
4.30 Close
Please note there is NO CHARGE for attendance, as the costs are covered by the AHRC/ESRC Religion & Society grant. If you are interested in attending, please contact Arlene Burns: arlene.burns@glasgow.ac.uk
Conference documents and presentations will appear in this space soon after the conference.