About
Research
Email: joey.oliva@stmarys.ac.uk
Biography
Joey is the Project Manager and Partnership Development for the Catholic Mission office. Her role involves managing and implementing initiatives that align with the University's Catholic vision and mission.
This includes developing project plans, collaborating with academic faculties to integrate the Catholic ethos into new modules and programmes, and facilitating stakeholders engagement with Catholic organisations, including NGO, Bishop's Conferences, and global Church affiliated insitutions. She also organises events, research funding opportunities, and prepare briefings and consultations to support the University's strategic goals in Catholic education and mission.
In addition to her professional role, she is an All Hallows Scholar under the Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (G.R.A.C.E.) Project, pursuing an PhD focused on the influence of Catholic education on the development of women leaders in the Philippines.
This research reflects her commitment to understanding and advancing the global impact of Catholic education, particularly in fostering leadership and empowerment. Her dual role as project manager and researcher enables her to contribute meaningfully to St. Mary's University's mission to integrate faith, education, and leadership development.
Education, leadership and mission-oriented work
Joey brings a wealth of experience in education, leadership, and mission-oriented initiatives. At Assumption College, San Lorenzo, she served as a Theology Department Chairperson and Assistant Professor. In this role, she designed and taught Theology courses that integrated Catholic teachings with contemporary issues, ensuring relevance for diverse learners. Her work included mentoring educators and fostering institutional collaboration with Catholic organisations to strengthen the Catholic identity in educational programs. Beyond Assumption College, she has shared her knowledge by teaching theology and religious studies in Don Bosco School of Theology and Our Lady of Angels, Franciscan Seminary, enriching faith formation of students from different cultural and academic backgrounds.
Earlier in her career, she was entrusted with leading an international mission in Latin America as part of the Couples for Christ Foundation. Stationed in Lima, Peru, she worked closely with local communities and Church leaders to implement faith-based initiatives, organised catechetical programmes, and support social development projects. This experience deepened her understanding of intercultural engagement and mission-driven work, fostering strong relationships across borders while advancing the organisation's vision of faith and service.
Qualifications and accreditations
2019
- Distinction, Masters in Catholic School Leadership, St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, United Kingdom
2014
- Cum Laude, Masters in Religious Studies
- Don Bosco Center of Studies, Parañaque City, Philippines
2005
- Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship
- Miriam College, Quezon City, Philippines
Additional Trainings
2020
- Religious Literacy: Traditions and Scriptures
- Harvard University – Harvard Divinity School
- HarvardX
Research
Research profile
- Oliva, J. M. (2022) “Catholic Education has a tradition of service to the poor and disadvantaged”: Is it evident today? in Lantayan: Pastoral-Theological Journal Volume 17, Manila, Don Bosco School of Theology
- Oliva, J.M.S. (2021) “A personal response by a doctoral student to the work of Grace
- How it provides an agenda for future research and policy development in Catholic education in the Philippines” in New Thinking, New Scholarship and New Research in Catholic Education, New York/London: Routledge
- Oliva, J.M.S. (2019) “Situational Leadership in Catholic Schools” in The Pastoral Review, Volume 15, Issue 3, May/June 2019, London: The Tablet Publishing
- Oliva, J.M.S. (2019) Promotion of the Common Good: The Role of Catholic School Leaders in the Philippine Catholic Educational Institutions, Master’s Thesis, St. Mary’s University, Twickenham
- Oliva, J.M.S (2014) Designing a Catechetical program on Financial Stewardship for the members of Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life, Master’s Project Paper, Don Bosco Center of Studies, Philippines
Paper/conference presentation
- Formation of Women Leaders: Influences and effects of Catholic Education in the Philippines at the Thirteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society, at School of Theology, Laboratory of Pedagogy and Religious Education National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (June 2023)
- Historical perspective of influences and effects of Catholic Education in the formation of women leaders in the Philippines at the Female Voices in Catholic Education Conference, NfRCE and St. Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls, London (May 2023)
- Service Learning in Catholic Education representing St. Mary’s University, Twickenham at University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain (Feb 2023)
- Research Presentation on the influence of Catholic education to the formation of women leaders in the Philippines at Colloquium on Catholic Education organised by University of Glasgow, Scotland (January 2023)
- Professorial Chair lecture on the influence of Catholic education to the formation of women leaders in the Philippines, Assumption College San Lorenzo, Philippines (May 2022)