The Network for Research in Catholic Education (NfRCE) was established in 2016 to support and nurture researchers who work in the field of Catholic education. Following the closure of Heythrop College, where the network was founded, CERRL is delighted to act as the institutional partner, and a number of CERRL’s staff are members of the network’s steering committee. The network’s purpose is to provide a forum for research and dialogue related to Catholic education in its fullest and broadest senses. It takes an open and inclusive approach to research, welcoming studies into the practice as well as the theory of Catholic education.
Annual conference and events
As part of its mission, the NfRCE holds an annual conference. The 2023 conference at Mary Immaculate Conference, University of Limerick on the 19th-20th October, is on the theme of ‘Catholic Education and the Institutional Church’.
Maureen Glackin Maureen has enjoyed a varied career in education and is currently General Secretary of the Catholic Independent Schools' Conference. Prior to this she spent 14 years at St Mary's University enjoying a variety of roles before being appointed Head of the School of Education, Theology & Leadership.
Patricia Kieran is Associate Professor of Religious Education at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, Ireland. She is Director of the Irish Institute for Catholic Studies and she has over thirty years’ experience of lecturing on inter-religious learning, theology and education and faith schooling, at university level.
John Lydon is Professor of Catholic Education, and Editor of the leading journal International Studies in Catholic Education, at St Mary's University, London. In addition he teaches at the University of Notre Dame, London Global Gateway.
Stephen J. McKinney is a Professor in the School of Education, University of Glasgow. He is on the Editorial Board of the Pastoral Review, International Studies in Catholic Education, Journal of Religious Education, International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church and the Journal of Beliefs and Values,
Dr Cora O’Farrell is the Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education (MDCCE) at Dublin City University. She has taught Religious Education at undergraduate and postgraduate level for the past twenty years. She is a member of the Council for Catechetics of the Irish Episcopal Conference and is active in pastoral initiatives within the Archdiocese of Dublin.
Dr. Ros Stuart-Buttle is an independent author, consultant and researcher in Theology and Education. Ros is the current Chair of the Working Group of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England & Wales Board of Religious Studies. She was formerly Director of the Centre for Christian Education and Pastoral Theology at Liverpool Hope University
John Sullivan is Emeritus Professor of Christian Education, Liverpool Hope University, UK. He is author and editor of nine books - the two most recent being The Christian Academic in Higher Education: The Consecration of Learning, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018; and Lights for the Path, Dublin: Veritas, 2022.
Dr Sean Whittle is a Senior Lecturer in Catholic Education at St Mary’s University and a long-serving secondary school R.E. teacher. Sean has published widely in Catholic education, as well as editing six books, most recently Irish and British Perspectives on Catholic Education, 2021.
Joining the network
If you are researching Catholic Education, you are welcome to become a member of the Network. To join the NfRCE please contact Dr Sean Whittle, St Mary’s University, at sean.whittle1@stmarys.ac.uk.