Conversations from the Classroom with Dr David Kennedy
Conversations from the Classroom with Dr David Kennedy
Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education
Conversations from the Classroom is a space of encounter for people interested in Catholic education. It features engaging conversations with prominent figures from Irish education and beyond. Topics include: the management and governance of education; LGBTQ+ perspectives in Catholic Education; the Politics of Irish Education and ongoing developments in the professional practice of the educator. The series is an academically rigorous, but accessible resource. Created & produced by Dr David Kennedy. Music written and played by Dr David Kennedy & recorded at Crossroad Recording Studio, Kilkenny.
Post-Secular Catholicism and Identity: Moving beyond Binaries?
In this episode, Prof Michelle Dillon (Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Professor of Sociology, University of New Hampshire) explores post-secular Catholicism in the United States and Ireland and the challenges poses for binary or fixed conceptions of identity construction. Click Here to view Prof Michelle Dillon's Professional Profile
Aug 8, 2025
1 hr 24 min
Ad Theologiam Promovendam: The Tasks of Theology in Europe Today and the European Theology Congress with Prof Fáinche Ryan
In this episode, Prof Fáinche Ryan (Professor of Theology, The Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin & Vice President, European Society for Catholic Theology) explores the tasks of theology in Europe today and the forthcoming bi-annual European Theology Congress that is taking place at the Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin between 20th-23rd August 2025. Click Here for Prof Fáinche Ryan Professional ProfileClick Here for more Information about the CongressClick Here for more information about the European Society for Catholic Theology
Apr 25, 2025
56 min
The Dalkey School Project, Educate Together and Multi-Denominational Education in Irish Education with Prof Áine Hyland - Part One
This episode is the first of two special feature episodes with Prof Áine Hyland (Emeritus Professor, University College Cork; former Vice President, University College Cork, and founding member the Dalkey School Project) discussing the development of the Irish education system [1960's onward], the establishment of the Dalkey School Project, the emergence of Educate Together, and the future of multi-denominational in the Irish Education System. Link to A Brave New Vision for Education in Ireland by Prof Áine Hyland - Click Here
Dec 2, 2024
58 min
The Dalkey School Project, Educate Together and Multi-Denominational Education in Irish Education with Prof Áine Hyland - Part Two
This episode is the final episode of our two special feature episodes with Prof Áine Hyland (Emeritus Professor, University College Cork; former Vice President, University College Cork, and founding member the Dalkey School Project) discussing the development of the Irish education system [1960's onward], the establishment of the Dalkey School Project, the emergence of Educate Together, and the future of multi-denominational in the Irish Education System. Link to A Brave New Vision for Education in Ireland by Prof Áine Hyland - ⁠Click Here
Dec 2, 2024
49 min
‘The Last of Us’: Violence, Ethics, Redemption? with Dr Peter Admirand
In this episode, Dr Peter Admirand (Associate Professor of Theology, Deputy Head of School in the School of Theology, Philosophy and Music, and Director of the Centre for Interreligious Dialogue at Dublin City University) discusses his recent edited volume The Last of Us: Violence, Ethics, Redemption? (2024) published as part of the Bloomsbury series, 'Theology, Religion, and Pop Culture'. Join us as Dr Admirand explores The Last of Us video games and HBO series through the theological, ethical, and educational prism. For Dr Peter Admirand's Professional Profile - Click Here For purchase information about book The Last of Us: Violence, Ethics, Redemption? (2024) - Click Here
Oct 3, 2024
1 hr 41 min
A Post-Christian and Post-Secular Context: The Future of Catholic Education with Prof Lieven Boeve
In this episode, Prof Lieven Boeve (Professor of Systematic Theology, KU Leuven; former Director, Catholic Education Flanders [Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaanderen]) explores Catholic ‘Dialogue Schools’ in Flanders and the opportunities for Catholic education in a context that is characterised by increased pluralisation, individualisation, secularisation, de-traditionalisation. Click Here to view Prof Lieven Boeve’s Professional Profile
Aug 28, 2024
1 hr 4 min
Art, Hermeneutics and Theology: Exploring the Saint John's Bible with Fr. Michael Patella, OSB
In this episode, Fr Michael Patella, OSB (Professor of New Testament, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota) discusses the first hand written and hand illuminated Benedictine Bible to be produced in over 500 years - The Saint John's Bible. As a work of art and a work of theology, this episode engages with Saint John's Bible and exploring art, hermeneutics, and theology. Artworks referenced in Episode: 21min 14sec - Lukes Anthology - Click Here to View Image 31min 25sec - Genesis 1 - Click Here to View Image 39min 05sec - Wisdom 13:1-5 - Click Here to View Image 41min 20sec - John 1 - Click Here to View Image Fr Michael Patella, OSB Professional Profile Click Here Book: Patella, M. 2013 Word and Image: The Hermeneutics of The Saint John’s Bible (Liturgical Press) - Click Here
Aug 9, 2024
53 min
Carnal Hermeneutics, Phenomenology, and Ecological Hospitality with Prof Richard Kearney
In this episode, Prof Richard Kearney (Charles B. Seelig Chair of Philosophy at Boston College) discusses his Carnal Hermeneutics, French phenomenology, the importance of Touch, his novel Salvage, and his most recent work in the area of ecological hospitality. Click Here of Prof Richard Kearney's Boston College Profile⁠Click Here⁠ of Prof Richard Kearney's Professional Website
Jun 24, 2024
46 min
Identity, Values, and Beliefs: Exploring Pre-Service Primary School Teachers' Perspectives on teaching Religious Education
In this episode, Dr Patricia Kieran (Lecturer in Religious Education and Director, Irish Institute for Catholic Studies, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick) and Dr Aiveen Mullally (Lecturer in Religious Education and Spirituality of the Child and Director, Centre for Religious Education, Marino Institute of Education) discuss their research on pre-service teachers perspectives on teaching Religious Education at primary level as well as the demographical insights arising from their research on this cohort and what this has to say to the future development of religious education at primary level in the Republic of Ireland. Click Here to Read the Journal Article of Interest to this episode Click Here to View Dr Patricia Kieran's Professional Profile Click Here to View Irish Institute for Catholic Studies, MIC Click Here to View Dr Aiveen Mullally's Professional Profile
Apr 30, 2024
1 hr 1 min
Science, Religion, and Education: NICER Project Science and Religion Encounters in the Classroom with Prof Bob Bowie
This episode is the final episode in our series of feature episodes on the theme: 'Science, Religion, and Education'. In this episode, Prof Bob Bowie (Professor of Religions and Worldviews Education, Canterbury Christ Church University, and Director, NICER Research Centre ) discusses the NICER project Science and Religion Encounters in the Classroom, Curriculum Development and Curricular Integration. ⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠ for Further Details about Professor Bob Bowie's work at Canterbury Christ Church University and the NICER Research Centre.
Apr 10, 2024
1 hr 10 min
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