Conversations from the Classroom with Dr David Kennedy

In this episode, Prof Massimo Faggiolli, prominent Church historian and Professor in Ecclesiology at Villanova University, Philadelphia (on sabbatical at the Loyola Institute, Trinity College Dublin) explores Catholic Higher Education, the University, and the important place, role, and contribution of theology to the common good in the wake of emergent American political theologies accentuated by...

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

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 Ry...

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 mult...

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 fu...

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...

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...

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. Ar...

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 Profile ⁠Click Here⁠ of Prof Richard Kearney's Professional Website

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...

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...

This episode is the second in our series of feature episodes on the theme: 'Science, Religion, and Education'. In this episode, Prof Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ (Professor Emeritus, Fordham University, New York) discusses her new book ' Come, have breakfast: Meditations on God and the Earth (Orbis, 2024). Listeners are brought on a journey traversing through themes such as the ever-growi...

This episode is the second in our series of feature episodes on the theme: 'Science, Religion, and Education'. In this episode, Prof Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ (Professor Emeritus, Fordham University, New York) discusses her new book ' Come, have breakfast: Meditations on God and the Earth (Orbis, 2024). Listeners are brought on a journey traversing through themes such as one's spir...

This episode is the first in our series of feature episodes on the theme: 'Science, Religion, and Education'. In this episode, Br Guy Consolmagno, SJ (Astrophysicist, Jesuit Brother, Director of Vatican Observatory, Chair of Vatican Observatory Foundation) discusses a variety of topics including what it means to be educator, the reality of life as a religious brother and a planetary scient...

This episode is the second of two special episodes with Raymond Friel OBE, (former CEO of Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust of 36 Catholic schools and current CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)) following the official launch of this podcast series at DCU, Institute of Education. Raymond discusses Catholic Social Teaching, its theological orientations, the importance of scripture, and w...

This episode is the first of two special episodes with Raymond Friel OBE, (former CEO of Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust of 36 Catholic schools and current CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN)) following the official launch of this podcast series at DCU, Institute of Education. Raymond discusses Catholic Social Teaching, its theological orientations, the importance of scripture, and wh...

In this episode, Prof John Sullivan, (Emeritus Professor, Liverpool Hope University) discusses a range of hidden treasures from the Catholic tradition men and women who, across the centuries and in diverse contexts, have illuminated how Christians can read and respond to the world. In each case the author demonstrates the enduring relevance of their example and wisdom for the philosophy and practi...

In this episode, Jonathan Tiernan (Education Delegate for the Irish Jesuits and their Network of 5 secondary schools and 3 primary schools), discusses the contents of his recently published book which he co-authored with Dr Sean McGraw (Boston College) titled The Politics of Irish Primary Education: Reform in an Era of Secularisation. Jonathan considers the political landscape of Irish Primary edu...

In this episode, Mr Seamus Mulconry (General Secretary, Catholic Primary School Managerial Association) and Mr John Curtis (General Secretary, Joint Managerial Body) discuss the findings of the Genesis Research Report which explores educational stakeholders, particularly parental, perspectives of Catholic education in the Republic of Ireland. The research was conducted by consult firm ' Genesi...

In this episode, Prof Andrew G. McGrady discusses the contribution of Catholic education to the development of people who are capable of living in and building up society towards the common good. He considers the impact of false dichotomies and the likelihood that some manner of citizen assembly will take place on the role of religion, specifically the Roman Catholic Church, in public healthcare a...

In this episode, Dr. Bernadette Sweetman (Post-doctoral Researcher at the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education) discusses the importance of Adult Religious Education and Faith Development and her ongoing research as part of the AREFD Project at the MDCCE.

In this episode, the renowned Irish poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama engages in a wide-ranging conversation from the potential of a border poll in Northern Ireland to questions of truth, theology, spirituality, and art. Pádraig's work can be accessed via his website ( Click Here ) and the On Being Poetry Unbound series, which he hosts, can be accessed via the following link ( Click Here ).

This episode is the fourth and final episode of four special episodes dedicated to the relationship between LGBTQ+ matters and the philosophy and theology of Catholic education. In this episode, Dr Seán Henry (Lecturer in Education, Edge Hill University) and Vivek da Silva (Assistant Professor in Religious Education, Dublin City University), in summation of the special series participate in a thou...

This episode is the third of four special episodes dedicated to the relationship between LGBTQ+ matters and the philosophy and theology of Catholic education. In this episode, Dr Claire Jenkins (University of Cambridge, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Senior Fellow) and Mr George White (Religious Education Teacher, St. Paul's Catholic School, Leicester, UK) offer their perspectives, a...

This episode is the second of four special episodes dedicated to the relationship between LGBTQ+ matters and the philosophy and theology of Catholic education. In this episode, Dr Seán Henry (Lecturer in Education, Edge Hill University), discusses the foundations of Queer theologies. He offers his perspective on everything from the unique way in which the term 'queer' is engaged with by ac...