DCU Institute of Education
DCU Institute of Education
Prof Cora O'Farrell, Director of Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU Institute of Education, Dr David Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education, DCU Institute of Education, Raymond Friel OBE, Former CEO of Plymouth CAST a
Prof Cora O’Farrell, Director of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU Institute of Education, Dr David Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education and Raymond Friel OBE, Former CEO of Plymouth CAST, a multi-academy trust of thirty-six Catholic schools based in the UK and CEO of Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN).

Conversations from the Classroom Podcast Provides a Fresh Perspective on Catholic Education

Prof Cora O'Farrell, Director of Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU Institute of Education, Dr David Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education, DCU Institute of Education, Raymond Friel OBE, Former CEO of Plymouth CAST a
The Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education at DCU Institute of Education launches Conversations from the Classroom podcast series. A first in an Irish context, the podcast provides a unique space for discussion about education, in particular Catholic education. Presented by Dr David Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education at the DCU Institute of Education, each episode features conversations with prominent figures, who work across the various levels of Irish education and other jurisdictions.

Guests on the podcast include renowned Irish poet and theologian Padraig Ó Tuama; Alan Hynes, CEO Catholic Education Partnership; Dr Seán Henry, Lecturer in Education, Edge Hill University; and Dr Claire Jenkins, Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, University of Cambridge. 

Launching the podcast 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); 

“Dialogue is at the heart of the current synod process in the Church, at the heart indeed of evangelization. Pope Francis calls us to a culture of encounter, to build bridges, not walls, to overcome the virus of hostility and suspicion of the stranger. This podcast series is exactly what we need to support this culture, to create spaces for courageous conversations, for friendly and life-enhancing exchanges. I recommend it highly.”

 

The Conversations from the Classroom podcast provides accessible conversations on Catholic education, highlighting its significant contribution to the Irish education system and its global recognition as an education provider, while also exploring contemporary issues, perceptions and challenges that Catholic education faces today. The podcast discusses topics such as management and governance in education in the Republic of Ireland; LGBTQ+ perspectives in Catholic education, the politics of Irish education, and ongoing developments in professional teaching practice. 

Founder and presenter of the podcast Dr David Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Education, DCU Institute of Education said 

“I wanted to create a podcast that engaged people on contemporary issues in Catholic education. I hope that it will be a useful resource for people generally interested in education, introducing them to complex topics from a critical perspective but in an accessible, conversational way, with room for some humour too.”

The podcast is a useful resource for students studying to be teachers at both primary and post-primary level, teachers, professionals working in management and trusteeships, administrators, policy makers, those developing curricula, and academics studying and working in Ireland and other jurisdictions.

Conversations from the Classroom podcast is available on Spotify and on the MDCCE website.