About
Research
Email: john.lydon@stmarys.ac.uk
Tel: 020 8240 4216
Biography
Professor John Lydon holds degrees from the Universities of Durham, Liverpool and Surrey. His doctorate focused on teaching as a vocation in a contemporary context.
He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Director of the MA in Catholic School Leadership Programme and Deputy Director of the Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education, St Mary’s University London. He is also Associate Editor of this centre’s leading academic journal, International Studies in Catholic Education.
He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor and Co-Director of an undergraduate programme of the University of Notre Dame in London. He is a member of the Executives of the World Union of Catholic Teachers and the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges of England & Wales.
John was recently appointed as Leader of the Thematic Group on Education of the Catholic-Inspired NGO Forum for education working in partnership with the Vatican Secretariat of State.
He regularly gives lectures in the United States, especially at NCEA, but also Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Most recently he gave a keynote address on Christian Humanism at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka. John’s research interests focus on spiritual capital, Catholic school leadership and the maintenance of distinctive religious charisms.
Some notable publications include:
- Transmission of a Charism (2009)
- The Contemporary Catholic Teacher: A Reappraisal of the Concept of Teaching as a Vocation (2011)
- Contemporary Perspectives on Catholic Education (2018)
His latest chapter ‘Salesian Accompaniment in Formal & Non-Formal Settings’ is about to be published by Veritas in an edited volume Catholic Education: Formal, Informal & Lifelong. John has extensive experience of leading seminars on distinctive leadership in national and international contexts.
Research
Research profile
Significant areas of John’s scholarship and research focus on spiritual capital, Catholic school leadership, the maintenance of distinctive religious charisms and the relationship between these and competing school paradigms in the 21st century which focus on the marketisation of education and school effectiveness in the UK.
He is a doctoral supervisor and mentor to post-doctoral researchers from Africa who are enhancing their research capability in the area of Catholic education.
Lydon is a much sought-after speaker and regularly delivers lectures in the United States, especially at the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), but also Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Most recently he gave keynote addresses on Christian Humanism at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka and on the English Education System, at St Louis University, United States and has been invited to speak at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.
John has been included in the university Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 submission under Unit of Assessment 20 – Social Work and Social Policy. He was also entered previously for REF 2014 under the unit of assessment Education.
Distinguished memberships
John was recently recognised as Multidisciplinary Expert and appointed Moderator of the Catholic-Inspired NGO Forum for education working in partnership with the Vatican Secretariat of State. In January 2021 John was appointed Leader of the Thematic Group on Education of the Catholic-Inspired NGO Forum.
He is a founding member of the International Catholic Education Alliance with leading universities in Australia, America, Ireland and Scotland.
He has also been selected as a distinguished international partner with the Global Researchers to Advance Catholic Education (GRACE) with Australia, Ireland and the United States.
He is a member of the Executives of the international World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT), the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education (NfRCE) and the national Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges of England & Wales (CATSCEW) and the Catholic Union of Great Britain (CUGB).
At regional level, John is also a trustee of the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton and one of the directors of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust Multi- Academy Trust Board.
External examining experience
- 2020-present: External Examiner for doctoral level degrees (PhD; EdD), Canterbury Christ Church University, Kent
- 2015-2019: External Examiner to the MA in Curriculum Leadership in Catholic Religious Education, School of Education, University of Glasgow, Scotland
- 2015-2019: External Examiner to the Catholic Teacher’s Certificate, School of Education, University of Glasgow, Scotland
- 2014: External Verifier for the Revalidation of the Certificate in Catholic Studies, Faculty of Education and Theology, York St John University, England
- 2007-present: Section 48 Inspector (Inspection of Denominational Education under the OSTED Framework for the Inspection of Schools 2005) – 12 Inspections conducted in the Archdiocese of Southwark & Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
Publications
- Chapter in Book
Lydon, J. (2022) The Perennial Impact of Salesian Accompaniment in a Context of Detraditionalisation’. In: E. Conway (Academic Editor) Special Edition of the Journal Religions 2022, Basel: MDPI. Open access
- Invited Chapter in Festschrift
Lydon J. (2021) ‘Professor Gerald Grace and the concept of ‘Spiritual Capital’: reflections on its value and suggestions for its future development’. In: New Thinking, New Scholarship and New Research in Catholic Education: responses to the work of Professor Gerald Grace Link to chapter
- Co-Authored Chapter in Book
Briody and J. Lydon (2020): ‘Renewing Spiritual Capital in Schools’ In: G Byrne, (Editor), Catholic Education: Formal, Informal & Lifelong, Dublin: Veritas online
- Co-Authored Chapter in Book
Healy and J. Lydon (2020) ‘Shepherding Talent – an informal formation programme for aspiring Catholic school leaders’, Chapter 12 In: S. Whittle (ed.) Irish and British Reflections on Catholic Education: contemporary research and emerging studies from the field London: Springer link to chapter
- Co-Authored Chapter in Book
Glackin, M. & Lydon J., (2018), ‘Getting Embedded Together: New Partnerships for Twentieth-Century Catholic Education’ Chapter 15, pp. 191-202. In S. Whittle, (ed.), Researching Catholic Education, Chennai India, Springer ISBN: 978-981-10-7807-1 (available as an e-book in university library) Link to chapter
- Single Editor of Book
Lydon, J., ed. (2018), Contemporary Perspectives on Catholic Education, Leominster: Gracewing ISBN: 978-0-85244-933-2. Online here
- Single Author chapter in book
Lydon, J. (2018), ‘Initial and On-Going Formation of Catholic School Teachers and Leaders: A Perspective from the UK’ Chapter 13, pp. 159-169. In: J. Lydon, (Editor), Contemporary Perspectives on Catholic Education, Leominster: Gracewing ISBN: 978-0-85244-933-2. Online here
- ingle Authored Article in Peer Reviewed Journal
Lydon, J. (2018) ‘Teaching Religious Education in Catholic Schools in England and Wales’. In M. Yuen (ed.) ‘Teaching Catholic Social Ethics and Civic Education’, Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, No. 8, January 2018, pp. 92-122 Full text available online
- Single Author – book review
Lydon, J., (forthcoming 2018), Book Review: That Which is Just and Equitable: Festschrift in Honour of Cardinal Grocholewski (2015) in Grace, G., International Studies in Catholic Education, London: Routledge
- Single Author – refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (forthcoming 2018), Nurturing Spiritual Capital in Catholic Schools: A Response to Ann Casson, in Grace, G., International Studies in Catholic Education, London: Routledge
- Single Author chapter in book/Co-editor – book
Lydon, J. (2017) ‘Initial and Ongoing Formation of Catholic School teachers and Leaders – a perspective from the UK’ pp. 60 – 69. In: The Formation of Formators/ La formazione dei formatori (Rome: Congregation of Catholic Education, The Vatican)
- Co-Author – refereed journal article
Lydon, J., & Fincham, D., (2014) ‘Towards Academy Conversion: Challenges and Opportunities for Catholic Schools’ in Journal of Studies in Social Sciences Vol. 9, Issue No 2, Pages 159-195 West Conshohocken, PA: Infinity Publications
- Single-Author – book review
Lydon, J., (2013) Book Review: Communicating Faith (ed.: J. Sullivan) in Grace, G., (ed.), International Studies in Catholic Education, Vol. 9, Issue No 2, Pages 236-240, London: Routledge Available online
- Single-Author – refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2013) ‘The Value of maintaining distinctive religious charisms in Catholic Education’. Published Paper presented at the National Catholic Education Conference Networking: Catholic Education Today, Vol. 14, Issue 5, pp. 23-25.
- Single-Author - refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2013) ‘The Nature of Spiritual Capital’ in Hayes, M., (ed.), The Pastoral Review, Volume 9, Issue 5, London: The Tablet Publishing Company Available online
- Single-Author - refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2012) Faith and the Catholic Teacher in Hayes, M., (ed.), The Pastoral Review, Volume 8, Issue 5, London: The Tablet Publishing Company Available online
- Single-Author - refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2011) Religious Charism in Salesian Schools in Hayes, M., (ed.), The Pastoral Review, Volume 7 Issue 6, London: The Tablet Publishing Company Available online
- Single Author – book review
Lydon, J. (2011) Book Review: Michael T. Winstanley’s Lenten Sundays: reflections on the Gospel readings Bolton: Don Bosco Publications in The Pastoral Review, Vol. 6, Issue 1, pp. 95-96 London: The Tablet Publishing Company Available online
- Single-Author - refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2011) Teaching as a Vocation in Hayes, M., (ed.), The Pastoral Review, Volume 7, Issue 5, London: The Tablet Publishing Company Available online
Single-Author – book
Lydon, J., (2011) The Contemporary Catholic Teacher: A Reappraisal of the Concept of Teaching as a Vocation in the Catholic Christian Context Saarbrucken, Germany: Lambert Academic Publishing (publication of PhD) Available online
- Single-Author - refereed journal article
Lydon, J., (2009) ‘Transmission of the Charism: A Major Challenge for Catholic Education’ in Grace, G., (ed.), International Studies in Catholic Education Vol. 1. Issue No. 1 Pages 42-58, London: Routledge – most accessed article in Journal to date. Full text available here
- Single Author – book review
Lydon, J. (2009) Book Review of M. Winstanley’s Symbols and Spirituality, Bolton, Don Bosco Publications in Hayes, M., (Editor), (2009), The Pastoral Review, Volume 5, Issue 1, London, The Tablet Publishing Company. Available online
- Single-Author – book
Lydon, J., (2003) Maintaining the Salesian Educational Vision Berkeley, California: Institute of Salesian Studies.
- Co-Authored - book
Lydon, J., et al., (1999), Moving On – A Resource for Sixth Form RE, Dublin, St Paul’s.
International conferences attended
Keynote at the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas, Manila
I have been offered an international Visiting Professorship by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines which will be awarded following a keynote presentation at a date to be confirmed in 2021.
International Forum
December 2021 (forthcoming): International-Inspired Catholic NGO Forum in Rome. I will be the Leader of the Forum Thematic Group on Education.
Keynote Paper (postponed to 2021)
November 2020: I was due to deliver a paper on ‘St Mary’s University Twickenham: Empowering Catholic School Leaders in a 21st Century Education Context - The MA in Catholic School Leadership’, International Association of Universities (IAU) 16th Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland. Conference theme ‘relevance and value of universities to future society. 3rd – 6th November 2020.
International Conference (postponed to 2021)
September 2020: I was due to lead a joint CATSC/NfRCE Conference at St Mary’s University Twickenham. As a member of the Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges (CATSC), he was planning to organise an International Conference jointly with the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education, which would have taken place at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
The Conference theme was to be teaching as a vocation in a contemporary context. Lydon was due speak on this topic as well as leading academics on Catholic education from England, Scotland and Ireland. 24th -25th September 2020.
Parallel Paper at International Conference (postponed to 2021)
September 2020: I was due to speak (with Assoc. Prof. John James, St Louis University) at the National Catholic Education Conference of Australia, Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre on the theme of ‘Leadership Ideals for the 21st Century: Servant and Christ-Centred Leadership’. 6-9th September 2020.
Keynote Paper (postponed to 2021)
July 2020: I was due to speak at the International Congregation of the Marists Brothers Conference, Pontifical Catholic University in Curitiba, Parana State, in Brazil. 27th July 2020.
International Conference (postponed to 2021)
July 2020: I was due to organise and host (with Dr C. Healy) for the second time at St Mary’s University a joint ‘Forming Leaders International Faith Formation’ Conference for school leaders and aspiring teachers with Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) La Salle Academy on the theme of ‘Revitalising Evangelisation in the Catholic Schools’ with over 150 delegates.
It is planned that this be a regular annual event. 6-12th July 2020.
International Inaugural Conference (postponed to 2021)
June 2020: I was invited to the inaugural gathering of the Global Researchers in Catholic Education (GRACE) at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland. 10th-13th June 2020.
International Webinar
June 2020: As a member of the Executive of the World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT), I recently organised an English-speaking international Webinar (convened by Flemish President Mr G. Bourdeaud’hui) on the theme of ‘to educate in the time of the pandemic and beyond – comparative perspectives’.
Presentations were provided from the England (Assoc. Prof. John Lydon, St Mary’s University, London; Assoc. Prof. John James, St Louis University, United States; Assoc. Prof. Richard Pazcouguin, University of Santo Tomas, The Philippines; Dr. M. Lappin, University of Glasgow, Scotland and Rev. Fr. Adrian Podar, National Theoretical College, Bucharest, Romania and Archbishop Vincent Dollmann, Archbishop of Cambrai and Ecclesiastical Advisor to the WUCT. Dr Caroline Healy, IoE of Education, Faculty of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, St Mary’s University provided the plenary sessions. 12th June 2020.
Parallel Paper (cancelled due to pandemic)
April 2020: I was due to present (with A. Jones, NCEA) at the American National Catholic Education of America (NCEA) Convention & Expo in Baltimore, Maryland, United States on ‘The International Perspective of Distributed Leadership: moving from my classroom to our school’. 14th-16th April 2020.
International NGO Forum
December 2019. I was appointed multi-disciplinary expert and acted as moderator to the English-speaking groups, International Catholic NGO Forum in Rome. 4th-7th December 2019.
Executive Paper
November 2019: I presented as a member of the Executive, at The World Union of Catholic Teachers Council of Presidents Conference held in Brussels, on the theme of ‘Paths to Violence, Paths to Freedom, 15th–17th November 2019.
Peer-Reviewed Research Paper
October 2019: Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Conference, Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Studies, Dublin City University.
Most recently, I delivered papers (with Rev. Fr James Briody and Dr Caroline Healy) at the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Conference, Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Studies, Institute of Education, Dublin City University, St Patrick’s Drumcondra.
The conference theme was Catholic Education: formal, informal and lifelong. The first paper was on ‘Salesian Accompaniment in Formal and Informal Settings’ (with J. Briody) and the second Shepherding Talent: an informal formation for aspiring school leaders’ (with C. Healy). 17th-18th October 2019.
Invited Keynote Address
September 2019: Catholic Education: an Irish Schools Trust (CEIST), Athlone, Republic of Ireland. This organisation is a trust of schools founded by five major religious orders. 250 school leaders and secondary school teachers came together for their annual conference.
I presented on the themes of Catholic distinctiveness and leadership ideals. Mission integrity featured prominently alongside emerging challenges in respect of the future of religious education and denominational inspection. The perennial value of the Salesian education vision was signposted. 25-27th September 2019.
August 2019: Participated in the Salesian Aspiring Leaders Conference, Turin.
Invited Keynote Address
July 2019: Joint Conference with ACU: Nearly 100 delegates were welcomed to St Mary’s University, London for an international conference delivered in collaboration with Australian Catholic University (ACU) entitled ‘Leading the New Evangelisation’ which took place between 8th July - 13th July 2019.
The conference was organised by Dr John Lydon and Dr Caroline Healy, and supported by the Catholic Education Service of England and Wales and the Education Department of the Archdiocese of Westminster.
Delegates were drawn from all over Australia, the Philippines, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and consisted of school leaders, teachers and youth ministers involved in formation in Catholic schools, parishes and dioceses.
Keynote speakers included Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra and Goulburn, Professor Br. David Hall, La Salle Academy for Faith Formation and Religious Education, Australian Catholic University and Dr John Lydon, St Mary’s University.
His Grace Archbishop Prowse spoke on Leadership Reflections on the New Evangelisation and Prof. Br. Hall presented on goals and key elements of evangelisation in contemporary Catholic schools.
I delivered two presentations: the first on the formation of teachers and leaders and the primacy of vocation and witness as key tools for the evangelisation of young people and the second on the UK student context and culture in the context of faith formation in schools. 8th July - 13th July 2019.
Invited Keynote Address
June 2019: I was invited to visit the Catholic Education Institute, a central feature of the landscape of St Louis University, Missouri, United States.
I gave a talk during a Master Class Summer School to the Catholic Education Institute’s postgraduate students on Catholic distinctiveness and ethos in education, which was very well received.
I also gave a keynote address to the Gateway School Leadership Institute’s Master Class Summer School on teacher education and the school system in the UK to international EdD students based in the Institute and another on distributed leadership in schools.
The Institute includes a large educational leadership cohort from Saudi Arabia. This partnership with Saudi Arabia was developed after 9/11 by the Jesuits as a contribution to developing Christian-Muslim relations.
The Saudi students were particularly engaged and spoke afterwards about the synergies between the two major world faiths in the context of school leadership, particularly servant leadership. 17th-20th June 2019.
Peer-Reviewed Research Paper
April 2019: I presented a research paper alongside Annette Jones, Director of School Leadership, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) at the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Convention & Expo 2019 in in Chicago, Illinois, entitled ‘Shepherding Talent: an innovative programme for aspiring Catholic School Leaders’. 23rd-25th April 2019.
I co-presented a paper with the Assistant Director for School Leadership, National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) of American, Annette Jones entitled ‘The International Perspective of Distributed Leadership: moving from my classroom to our school’, National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Convention & Expo 2019, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, USA (24th April 2019).
I also presented a paper jointly with Dr Caroline Healy entitled Renewing Spiritual Capital in a Contemporary Context: Emerging Models. Again, integrating scholarship with practice, this paper elicited a series of conversations on the extent to which spiritual capital can be renewed in a ‘post religious order era’ (24th April 2019).
Beyond the presentation I attended as a meeting as a member of the Catholic Higher Education Supporting Catholic Schools (CHESCS) group led by Thomas Kiely of Marquette University, and other American University academics running Catholic School Leadership programmes including St Louis, University of San Francisco, Loyola Marymount Los Angeles and the University of Notre Dame (Alliance for Catholic Education), Seton Hall University and De Paul University (23rd April 2019).
Sr M Paul McCaughey OP, representing the latter, is very committed to progressing a Global Masters in Catholic School Leadership which was the focus of a discussion at Australian Catholic University in 2017, attended by Dr Lydon.
Nomination to UNESCO’s International NGO Committee
December 2018: I was nominated for the UNESCO International NGO Liaison Committee at UNESCO’s bi-annual international conference for NGOs on the theme of ‘Promoting and the Enhancing the Commitment and Contribution of UNESCO’s NGO Partners, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, 17th-19th December 2018.
Invited Keynote Address
December 2018: I presented a keynote research paper at the First International Research Conference on Christian Studies at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, entitled: ‘Towards a New Christian Humanistic Ethos’. 7th December 2018.
Executive Paper
November 2018: Executive Paper ‘Financial Updates of WUCT’, World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT) Council of Presidents Conference 2018.Theme: ‘Educate in World’s Peripheries of the World: the challenges, the good practices’, Rome, Italy. Delegates drawn from England, Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Romania, The Netherlands, Argentina, Burundi, the Congo and the Philippines. 9th-11th November 2018.
Invited Paper Mater Dei Institute Dublin City University
October 2018: I delivered a paper delivered at the International Researchers in Catholic Education Meeting, Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, Dublin City University, St Patrick’s Drumcondra Campus, Dublin, Ireland. 4th-5th October 2018.
Invited International Academic
April 2018: I was a moderator and one of only 40 international academics invited to be part of the ‘Global Catholic Education and Integral Human Development: Setting a Social Science Research Agenda’ Conference, at the University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway, Via Ostilia 15, Rome, Italy (invitations to the conference from the University of Notre Dame only). 25th-27th April 2018.
Panel Member on International Symposium
April 2018: I presented on the UK perspective on Catholic Education at International Symposium at the American National Catholic Education Convention & Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Other perspectives will be presented by the USA, Canada and Australia.
The international panel comprises Professor Ron Nuzzi (University of Notre Dame), Professor Richard Rymarz (The Broken Bay Institute Australia), Professor Matt Hoven (University of Alberta). 3rd – 5th April 2018.
December 2017: I participated in the Third International Catholic-Inspired NGOs Conference at Villa Aurelia, Rome on the theme of Promoting Humanity: the role of Catholic-Inspired NGOs’, 11th-12th December 2017.
Invited Keynote Addresses
November 2017: I was the only academic from England who was invited to speak at an International Catholic Leadership Symposium in Australian Catholic University (ACU) Melbourne, Australia on the theme of ‘Inspiring Leaders in a Globalised 21st Century’, 13th-18th November 2017.
November 2017: Paper was presented on the ‘Distinctive Characteristics of Effective Catholic Schools’ for the Third Bilingual Conference for Slovak School Leaders, Bardejov, Slovakia on the Twin Themes of Educating the Whole Person and Education for All, 2nd-4th November 2017.
November 2017: Paper delivered at The World Union of Catholic Teachers Council of Presidents Conference held in Oradea, Romania, on the theme of ‘The Catholic Teacher and Challenges of the World Today’. The title of my paper was: The Catholicity of Leadership 10th–12th November 2017.
Peer-Reviewed Research Paper
April 2017: Presented a research paper at the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Convention & Expo in in St Louis, Missouri entitled ‘Shepherding Talent: an innovative programme for aspiring Catholic School Leaders’.
Invited Keynote Research PaperMarch 2017: Presented a paper at the International Conference on Teaching Catholic Social Ethics and Civic Education at the Chinese University of Hong Kong entitled ‘Teaching Religious Education in Catholic Schools in England and Wales’. Nomination to UNESCO NGO Committee
December 2016: Campaigned and was nominated for the UNESCO Liaison Committee with NGOs at the international UNESCO conference on ‘The Challenges of the Digital Revolution’, Paris, 12th- 15th December 2016.
Invited Keynote Research PaperAugust 2016: Presentation at Forum Salesiano Conference at Benediktbeurn on the theme of Religion in the Preventive System of Don Bosco entitled ‘Salesian Education in the UK’
April 2016: Presentation to Symposium on Catholic School Leadership at the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA, USA).
Invited Keynote Research Paper
November 2015: Presentation to the World Congress on Catholic entitled Initial and Continuing Formation of Catholic Teachers and Leaders, Educating for Today and Tomorrow (The Vatican, Rome). This was to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the promulgation of the Second Vatican Council document on Christian education, Gravissimum Educationis. (The only presenter from the UK and Ireland).
Refereed Research Paper
October 2015: National Catholic Education Association (USA) Shepherding Talent – A Programme of Formation for Early Career Catholic Teachers, Leadership Summit, Atlanta, Georgia. USA.
February 2015: Participated in a meeting with the Congregation for Catholic Education, Rome concerning the role of the World Union of Catholic Teachers in clarifying the nature of Catholic Identity in Western European Catholic schools.
February 2015: Participated in a meeting with representatives of the Secretariat of State – The Vatican, Rome, Italy concerning the role of the World Union of Catholic Teachers in developing formation programmes for school teachers and leaders in Africa.
Invited Masterclass
January 2015: Delivered a Masterclass at La Salle College Hong Kong to prospective University students entitled Challenges to the Conscience in a Contemporary Conscience (250 students present).
Refereed Research Paper
November 2014: Delivered an address to a United Nations Convention on The Family November, Geneva, Switzerland.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
October 2014: Delivered a Keynote Address at the Congress of the World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT) entitled ‘Educating to Intercultural Dialogue in Catholic Schools’, The Vatican, Rome, Italy.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
June 2014: Delivered papers at an International Conference on Catholic Education Leadership in Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
February 2014: Delivered a Keynote Address, Faith and Reason in the Catholic Education Tradition, to University academics and Graduate students, Jordan University College, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Invited Research Paper
September 2013: Delivered a Paper ‘Gravissimum Educationis: foundation for an understanding of Catholic education’ to the General Assembly of the World Union of Catholic Teachers Rome: The Vatican.
Refereed Research Paper
April 2013: Delivered a paper, ‘The Value of Maintaining Distinctive Religious Charisms’, National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) Conference in Houston, Texas, USA. http://research.stmarys.ac.uk/486/
Invited Research Paper
October 2012: Presented a paper at the General Assembly of the World Union of Catholic Teachers (WUCT) entitled ‘Catholic Education in the UK’, Rome, Italy.
Refereed Research Paper
April 2012: Delivered a paper entitled ‘Teaching as a Vocation – Contemporary Perspectives’ at the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Conference in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Refereed Research Paper
April 2011: Delivered a paper/participated in Round Table Symposium on Teaching as a Vocation at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) New Orleans USA.
Invited Research Paper
June 2009: Contributed to a Conference on ‘Paul – Prophetic Missionary and Transforming Leader’ organised by the Congregation for Catholic Education (CCE) at the Vatican, Rome, Italy.
Refereed Research Paper
April 2009: Presented a paper entitled ‘Transmission of the Charism – A Major Challenge for Catholic Educators’ at the National Catholic Educational Conference, Anaheim, California, USA.
National Conference Presentations:
Webinar
I organised a public webinar was organised on 24th September 2020 on the theme of ‘The Post-Covid Moment: Crisis and Crossroad’. I was also on the panel alongside other academics from St Mary’s University and beyond. Over 90 people engaged including academics from overseas.
Invited Keynote
September 2020: Invited by the Executive Headteacher to deliver a keynote speech on the theme of ‘Embracing the Ethos in a Catholic school Whilst Working Together’ at the continuous professional development of the St Mary’s Catholic Federation of Schools, Carshalton, Surrey. 3rd September 2020.
Invited presentation (postponed to 2021)
July 2020: Invited to deliver a keynote talk to students and staff on research in Catholic education. Convent of Jesus and Mary College, Academic Research Conference. Willesden, North London. 9th-10th July 2020.
Invited Keynote Presentation
March 2020: Invited by Headmistress of the Research School Convent of Jesus and Mary, Willesden, North London to speak at a conference on ‘Social Justice and Catholic Education: how do Catholic schools serve the goal of social justice?’ (organised jointly with the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education). 12th March 2020.
Invited Keynote Presentation
February 2020: Invited by CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust, to the Continuous Programme Development Day of the Xavier Schools Alliance, St Polycarp’s School, Fareham, Surrey. 13th February 2020.
Invited Presentation
January 2020. Speaker at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Archdiocese of Westminster, West London. ‘Celebrating Catholic Education’ Continuous Professional Development Day. I delivered a seminar on leadership ideals for the 21st Century. 6th January 2020.
Invited Keynote
November 2019: Keynote Speaker at the Aspiring Deputy Headteachers’ Continuous Professional Development Day, Sir Philip Howard Centre, Diocese of Arundel & Brighton, Crawley, W. Sussex. 8th November 2019.
Invited Keynotes
September 2019: Keynote Speaker at the ‘Catholic Life’ Continuous Professional Development Days, Our Lady Immaculate, Bryn, Wigan, Lancashire in the Archdiocese of Liverpool and St Joseph’s Primary, Reddish, Stockport, Greater Manchester and St Ambrose’s Primary School, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester in the Diocese of Salford. 3rd September 2020
Keynote Address
July 2019: Hosted an International Faith Formation Leadership Conference (in association with the Catholic Education Service and Archdiocese of Westminster Education Service) on the theme of ‘Leading the New Evangelisation’, St Mary’s University in partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU), Canberra. 11th -13th July 2019.
Delegates were drawn from all over Australia, the Philippines, England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and consisted of school leaders, teachers and youth ministers involved in formation in Catholic schools, parishes and dioceses.
Keynote speakers included Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra and Goulburn, Professor Br. David Hall, La Salle Academy for Faith Formation and Religious Education, Australian Catholic University and Dr John Lydon, St Mary’s University.
His Grace Archbishop Prowse spoke on Leadership Reflections on the New Evangelisation and Prof. Br. Hall presented on goals and key elements of evangelisation in contemporary Catholic schools.
Dr Lydon delivered two presentations: the first on the formation of teachers and leaders and the primacy of vocation and witness as key tools for the evangelisation of young people and the second on the UK student context and culture in the context of faith formation in schools.
Parallel Paper
June 2019: I had a paper accepted at the St Mary’s University Festival of Teaching and Learning 2019 (with Dr C. Healy) entitled ‘Inclusive Practice: a case study of the MA in Catholic School Leadership’. Conference themes: Celebrating Research-Informed and inclusive Teaching Practices (27th June 2019).
Invited Keynote Address, Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle
April 2019: Invited Keynote Address, Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle North Tyneside Catholic Primary School partnership. Theme: ‘A day of reflection on the intent of the Catholic curriculum.’ St James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. 5th April 2019.
Ten Catholic primary schools form part of the partnership and audience consisted of over 350 whole school staff.
Two keynotes were delivered followed by lively Q & A sessions. The first was entitled ‘Leadership Ideals for the 21st Century – Christ-centred and Servant Leadership’ and discussed the centrality of teachers and school leaders as authentic witnesses to the Catholic faith in regard to delivering the curriculum, no matter the content.
The second keynote referred to ‘Catholic distinctiveness and the Curriculum’. It revisited the work of Thomas Groome (1998), that there must be balance in the curriculum.
University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway Conference
March 2019: I participated in the University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway London conference on the theme: ‘Issues Facing Catholic Education’ where I am an Adjunct Associate Professor, 12th-13th March 2019.
Invited Paper Salesian International Conference
February 2019: I participated in, and supported the planning of, the Annual Salesian Schools Conference 2019 on the theme of ‘Listening to Our Young People’ inspired by the recent Synod on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment. This was held at John Henry Newman Catholic College, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, Birmingham, 2nd February 2019.
Nearly 150 delegates from Salesian Schools of the Province of Great Britain Trust schools and six other schools who are members of the Salesian Fellowship participated and some international Salesians from Belgium.
I delivered two very well-attended workshops on listening as a Salesian leader where participants were invited to return to the thinking and charism of St John Bosco by focusing on the significance of a holistic approach to education.
Invited Keynote Address, London Borough of Hillingdon, West London
January 2019: Catholic Life Professional Development Day, The Douay Martyrs Catholic Secondary School, Ickenham, West London, I was a keynote speaker to over 250 staff on 7th January 2019.
This was a joint in-service day held together with seven Catholic primary schools which form part of the Hillingdon Catholic Schools Deanery. The theme of the day was entitled ‘What is Distinctive and Unique to Catholic Schools?’’ of schools which concerned exploring aspects of Catholic education in more detail.
I delivered a presentation which covered the Catholic school tradition and heritage and the primacy of the Church’s mission to the poor, what is distinctive and unique to Catholic schools and what are the key challenges and opportunities for Catholic schools in 2019.
Conference Paper, St Mary’s University, Twickenham
October 2018: Paper delivered at the Festival of Teaching and Learning 2018 on ‘Building Spiritual Capital through the online environment of the MA in Catholic School Leadership’. Conference Theme: ‘Future-Proofing our Students so they can succeed in the 4th Industrial Revolution’, St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London, 3rd October 2018.
Invited Paper Newman University, Birmingham
September 2018: Paper delivered (with C. Healy) at the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Conference, Newman University, Birmingham entitled ‘Spiritual Capital and its Impact in a Contemporary Context,’ 13th-14th September 2018.
Salesian Annual Headteachers’ Conference, Liverpool
May 2018: Paper delivered on ‘Salesian Ethos in a Contemporary Context’. Theme: Salesian Ethos and the Common Good, De Montfort Fathers Sandymount Retreat Centre, Bundellsands, Crosby,10th-11th May 2018
Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges, Chester, Cheshire
March 2018: World Union of Catholic Teacher Updates from the Executive, Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges, Annual Conference 2018, Chester, 2nd – 4th March 2018
Invited Keynote Address, Hertfordshire
January 2018 ‘Leadership Ideals in a Catholic School in the 21st Century – Servant and Christ-centred Leadership’, Theme: What is it? An Exploration of What it means to work in a Catholic School, Stevenage Deanery, Joint INSET with Nicholas Breakspear Secondary School, St Albans and Cardinal Newman Secondary School, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, 5th January 2018
Invited Paper, Heythrop College, University of London
September 2017: Paper delivered at the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Conference entitled ‘Servant and Christ-Centred Leadership’ as part of the theme on ‘Developing Research in Catholic Education’, Heythrop College, University of London,19th-20th September 2017
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
May 2017: ‘Religious Education in a Salesian School: Challenges and Impact’’. Salesian Headteachers Conference, Battersea, South London. 4th May 2017.
Invited Keynote Address
April 2017: ‘Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities for Catholic School Leaders: Implications for Formation’, Diocese of Portsmouth, Southampton, UK. 28th April 2017.
Invited Keynote Address
March 2017: World Union of Catholic Teachers: Current Developments Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges Annual Study Conference 2017. Theme: Called to be Missionaries of the Gospel, Chester, UK, March 2017.
Invited Keynote Address, Liverpool
March 2017: ‘Being a Governor in a Salesian School’. St John Bosco High School, Liverpool.
Invited Keynote Paper, Woking Surrey
February 2017: ‘Leadership Ideals in a Catholic School in the 21st Century – Servant and Christ-centred Leadership, Xavier Multi Academy Trust (14 Catholic schools in Surrey) Catholic Leadership Programme
Invited Refereed Research Paper
September 2016: Delivered Keynote Address at the New Thinking in Catholic Education Conference entitled Getting Embedded Together: New Partnerships for 21st Century Catholic Schools at Heythrop College, University of London
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
September 2016: Delivered Keynote Conference Address Working in a Catholic School at New Hall School, Chelmsford
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
May 2016: Keynote Address at Salesian Headteachers Conference in Battersea entitled Being a Governor in a Salesian School
Invited Keynote Research Paper
February 2016: Delivered paper at CATSC Annual Study Conference entitled New Developments in Religious Education
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
July 2015: Delivered Keynote Conference Address ‘Keeping Christ at the Centre of our Schools’ All Wales Faith Leaders Conference, Llangammarch Wells, Wales.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
June 2015: Delivered a Keynote Address The Catholicity of Leadership to Diocese of Brentwood’s Deputy Headteachers’ Conference. Essex.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
January 2015: Delivered a Keynote Address The Maintenance of the Balance between School Improvement and Catholic Distinctiveness to Archdiocese of Westminster Headteachers’ Conference, London.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
October 2014: Delivered a Keynote Address at the Archdiocese of Southwark Headteachers’ Conference, ‘Laying the Groundwork for the Next Seventy Years: The Spiritual Challenge’.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
July 2013: Presented a keynote paper, ‘Distinctive Leadership for Distinctive Schools’, All Wales Faith Leaders Conference, Builth Wells, Wales.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
June 2013: Presented a keynote paper, ‘Reflections on the NQT Year’, Archdiocese of Westminster Teachers Conference, London.
Invited Keynote Refereed Research Paper
May 2013: Presented a paper ‘The Distinctiveness of Schools with a Religious Character’, VI Form Schools and Colleges Conference, St Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London.
Refereed Research Paper
March 2010: Delivered a paper ‘Renewing the Catholic Social Conscience’ at a conference at the Las Casa Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford.
Media
- ‘Assoc. Prof. Lydon, IoE/EHSS presents at an international webinar of the World Union of Catholic Teachers on educating during the Covid-19 pandemic and for the future’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 3, Autumn Term 2020, pp. 20-21 (available here)
- ‘Expansion of the MA in Catholic School Leadership across the British Isles Fifth Cohort of Derry students enrol for Masters’ Degree in Catholic School Leadership and a new centre for Edinburgh’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 3, Autumn Term 2020, pp. 22-23 (available here)
- ‘Visiting Scholars from Africa join Assoc. Prof. John Lydon, CATSC Executive, for Research Mentoring at St Mary’s University in the area of Catholic Education as part of a pilot project in the academic year 2019/20 to establish the Catholic Education Research in Africa Network (CERIAN)’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 3, Autumn Term 2020, pp. 24-25 (available here)
- ‘Professor John Lydon, CATSC Treasurer, acted as Moderator for the Forum of International Catholic-inspired NGOs in Rome which is supported by the Holy See’s Secretariat of State’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring Term 2020, p.20 (available here)
- ‘CATSC Executive Attends the World Union of Catholic Teachers Council of Presidents Meeting 2019 in Brussels’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring Term 2020, p.20 (available here)
- ‘Members of the Catholic Association of Teachers Schools and Colleges Executive visit Our Lady Immaculate Primary School Bryn, Wigan in the Archdiocese of Liverpool’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring Term 2020, p.23 (available here)
- ‘CATSC Executive Members Attend Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Annual Conference 2019 in Dublin’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring Term 2020, p.24 (available here)
- ‘Deepening Partnership between the Director of Diocese of Arundel & Brighton Education Service Marie Ryan and Prof. John Lydon, CATSC Executive and St Mary’s University, Twickenham, Recently’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 2, Spring Term 2020, p.24 (available here)
- Two Members of CATSC Executive Organise a Conference on Faith Formation at St Mary’s University Twickenham with Australian Catholic University. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2019, p. 18 (available here)
- A special Thanksgiving Mass for the first graduates from the Masters’ degree in Catholic School Leadership of St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2019, p. 19 (available here)
- Dr John Lydon, CATSC Treasurer delivers keynote on his visit to Master Class Graduate Summer Schools at St Louis University, United States. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2019, p. 20 (available here)
- The National Catholic Education Convention of America, Chicago 2019. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2019, p. 21 (available here)
- CATSC Treasurer delivers keynotes to North Tyneside Catholic Primary School Partnership Conference. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 21, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2019, p. 22 (available here)
- CATSC Treasurer presents at Vatican Conference Global Catholic Education - Setting a Research Agenda’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 20, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2018, p. 20 (available here)
- National Catholic Education Conference of America, Cincinnati, 2018. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 20, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2018, p. 22 (available here)
- August 2018: ‘St Mary’s Academics take part in Global Catholic Education Conference’. St Mary’s University News, 21st August 2018 (available here)
- ‘Dr Lydon, Member of CATSC Executive invited to Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School in St Albans in the Diocese of Westminster’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 19, Issue 3, Summer Term 2018, p. 10 (available here)
- ‘Dr John Lydon, CATSC/WUCT Executive Council, participated as Thematic Expert in Education at the Third Forum of International Catholic-inspired NGOs in Rome supported by the Holy See’s Congregation for Catholic Education’. Networking: Catholic Education Today. Volume 19, Issue 3, Summer Term 2018, p. 14 (available here)
- ‘CATSC Treasurer Dr John Lydon KCHS presents at Catholic School Leaders in a globalised 21st Century Conference’. Networking: Catholic Education Today, Volume 19, Issue 2, Spring Term 2018, p. 13 (available here)
- Dr John Lydon, CATSC Treasurer, presents a keynote at Bilingual Conference in Slovakia Educating the Whole Person – Education for All – November 2017. Networking: Catholic Education Today, Volume 19, Issue 2, Spring Term 2018, p. 15 (available here)
- January 2018: ‘St Mary’s Academic Presents at Catholic School Leaders in a Globalised 21st Century Conference’. St Mary’s University News, 26th January 2018 (available here)
- September 2017: ‘Dr John Lydon presents at leading international conference’ (NCEA 17, St Louis), News from CATSC, Networking Catholic Education Today, Vol. 19, Issue 1, Autumn Term 2017
- August 2017: ‘St Mary’s Academic appointed Thematic Expert in Education of the United Nations Catholic-inspired NGO Think Tank’ 17th August 2017 (available here)
- April 2017: ‘St Mary’s Academic Delivers Keynote Address in Hong Kong’. St Mary’s University Blog, 6th April 2017 (available here)
- February 2017: Return of the World Union of Catholic Teachers Council of Presidents Congress to St Mary’s University, London, News from CATSC, Networking Catholic Education Today, Vol. 18, Issue 2, Spring Term
- January 2017: ‘St Mary’s Academic Appointed Adjunct Professor at the University of Notre Dame’. St Mary’s University Blog, 13th January 2017 (available here)
- November 2016: ‘The Big Ben of World Catholic Teaching Struck’ at the WUCT Council of Presidents Meeting in London, UMEC-WUCT Blogspot, 24th November 2016 (available here)
- December 2015: ‘Creating a Community of Gospel-based Love’, Features, The Catholic Times, 11th December 2015, p. 11
- December 2015 Interview with Michael Kelly Editor of The Irish Catholic on Catholic School Leadership Programmes: A Perspective from the UK
- November 2015: EWTN Radio Interview with Joan Lewis on World Congress in Catholic Education: A Perspective from the UK (podcast - available here)
- ‘UK Catholic Education Leaders to Attend Vatican Congress’ Scottish Catholic Observer [online] by Daniel Harkins, 16th November 2015 (available here)
- ‘St Mary’s Academics Present at Leading International Summit on Catholic Education’. St Mary’s University Blog, 11th November 2015 (available here)
- ‘St Mary’s Sponsors World Congress on Catholic Education’. St Mary’s Newsletter, Vol. 25, Issue 11, p.1 24th November 2015 (available here)
St Mary’s University Blog, 19th November 2015 (available here)
- ‘St Mary’s Theologian to Present at Catholic Education World Congress’. St Mary’s University Press Release, 9th April 2015 (available here)
& St Mary’s Staff Newsletter, Vol. 23, Issue 2, 17th April 2015.
- ‘Academic to Deliver on the ‘Conscience’ in Hong Kong’. St Mary’s University Press Release, 22nd January 2015 (available here)
& Simmarian Online Alumni Newsletter Spring 2015 Edition 15 (available here)
- ‘St Mary’s Senior Lecturer at Private Audience with Holy Father’. St Mary’s Press Release, 3rd November 2014 (available here)
St Mary’s Staff Newsletter Vol. 21, Issue 10, 7th November 2014
- ‘St Mary’s Academics Visit Sri Lanka’. St Mary’s Press Release, 14th July 2014 (available here)
- ‘St Mary’s Lecturer Delivers Keynote Address at Tanzanian University’. St Mary’s Press Release, 7th April 2014 (available here)