David Kennedy

Dr.

Contact Details


Spc M 204

T:Ext. 9242

E:David.Kennedy@dcu.ie
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Dr David Kennedy (BA, MA, Ph.D., SFHEA), Assistant Professor of Religious Education, joined the School of Human Development, Institute of Education, Dublin City University in 2019. David is also connected to the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, Institute of Education, Dublin City University as a teaching and research associate. He is a member of the Irish Philosophical Societythe Irish Theological Association; the European Society for Catholic TheologyAssociation of University Lecturers in Religious Education (AULRE); the Network for Researchers in Catholic Education; Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (GRACE); and Advance HE Connect. From 2013-2015, he was a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick where he worked as a researcher and departmental assistant teaching in systematic, biblical and sacramental theology. From 2015-2019, David worked as a researcher for national bodies in Catholic education, namely: the Catholic Schools Partnership (CSP - now known as the Catholic Education Partnership [CEP]); the Association of Trustees of Catholic Schools (ATCS - now know as the Association of Patrons and Trustees of Catholic Schools [APTCS]); the Catholic Primary School Management Association (CPSMA); and the Irish Episcopal Conference (IECON). From 2016-2019, David was a lecturer and research supervisor on the Professional Masters in Education (Primary)  programme and the Certificate in Catholic Religious Studies programme at Hibernia College. From 2016-2019, he also lectured (part-time) on the Bachelor of Religious Education (Post-Primary/BrelED). From 2015-2019, he was appointed as lead coordinator and resource writer for Catholic School Week. In 2018, David worked as a theological researcher; catechetical resource writer; and national coordinator for Catholic schools (primary/post-primary) for the World Meeting of Families 2018 and the papal visit of Pope Francis to Ireland.


In 2020, David was appointed as Programme Chair of the Certificate in Religious Studies (Part-time) programme and the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies Supplementary Qualification. He currently lectures and supervises research across a number of programmes at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University, namely; Bachelor of Education (Primary) programme; Master of Education programme; the Certificate in Religious Studies (Full-Time) programme; the Certificate in Religious Studies (Part-Time) programme; the Certificate in Catholic Religious Studies Supplementary programme; and the MA in Chaplaincy Studies and Pastoral Work. Modules include: Scripture, Faith and Diversity; Religious Education and the Child; Religious Education in a Plural Age; Introduction to Theology; and Cultural Diversity and Religious Pluralism. In 2021, David received the DCU President's Award for Excellence in Teaching (Distinctive Approaches to Teaching) in recognition of his successful, effective and innovative teaching and learning practices. In recognition of the demonstrable impact and influence that David's professional teaching practice has on colleagues both nationally and internationally as well as his effective approaches to the support of high quality student learning, David achieved the status of Senior Fellow with the Higher Education Authority in accordance with the UK Professional Standards for Teaching and Learning Support in Higher Education. David is the creator, producer, and host of the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education Podcast series, Conversations from the Classroom with Dr David KennedyDavid’s research interests and publications come from a broad range of disciplines including systematic and philosophical theology, philosophy, religious education, educational studies as well as management, leadership, and governance in education.

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2023 David Kennedy (2023) 'The Possibility of a Truth-beyond-being and Givenness: Engaging the Work of Jean-Luc Marion in the Hermeneutics of Religious Education'. British Journal of Religious Education, . https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2023.2183383
2021 Kennedy, D.; Cullen, S. (2021) '‘So, Is It True?’ Time to Embrace the Hermeneutical Turn in Catholic Religious Education in the Republic of Ireland'. Religions, 12 . [Link] https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12121059
2024 David Kennedy (2024) 'Book Review: Why Teach Philosophy in Schools? The Case for Philosophy on the Curriculum'. Irish Theological Quarterly, 89 (2). [Link]
2022 David Kennedy (2022) 'Book Review: The Politics of Irish Primary Education: Reform in an Era of Secularisation'. Irish Theological Quarterly, 87 (4):368-370. [Link] https://doi.org/10.1177/00211400221129404d
2022 David Kennedy (2022) 'Book Review: Religious Education from a Critical Realist Perspective: Sensus Fidei and Critical Thinking by Johnny C. Go Sensus Feidi'. British Journal of Religious Education, 44 (1):124-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2021.1926754

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2024 David Kennedy (2024) 'Encountering LGBTQ+ Lives in Catholic Schools: A Fragile Hermeneutical Space? - A Response to Dr Seán Henry' In: Queer Thriving in Catholic Education : Going Beyond the Pastoral Paradigm for LGBTQ+ Inclusion. Singapore : Springer.
2021 David Kennedy (2021) 'Religious Enquiry: A Valid Pathway to Human Knowledge' In: Catholic Education: A Lifelong Journey. Dublin : Veritas Publications Ltd.
2021 David Kennedy (2021) 'Education' In: Examplars of Best Practice with Eportfolio Based Assessment at Dublin City University. Online Book : National Institute for Digital Learning. [Link]

Other Journal

Year Publication
2013 David Kennedy (2013) 'Christology a Complete Anthropology: Towards a Theology of Humankind in its Relationship with God' Maynooth Theological Journal, .
2023 David Kennedy (2023) 'Can a diversity of patronage be achieved in Ireland' RTE Brainstorm, . https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2023/0426/1378983-ireland-school-patronage-education-citizens-assembly/

Conference Publication

Year Publication
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Pedagogy for Higher Education Large Classes (PHELC) Symposium . In: Farrell, A.M. & Logan, A eds. Using UDL to redesign face-to-face, large class modules for the online, asynchronous environment [DOI]

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2023 David Kennedy (2023) Association of University Lecturers in Religious Education Annual Conference 2023; Theory, Policy and Practice in RE: Is this a time of divergence? Education, Laughs and Constructive Chats: A Podcast Created with Intentional Hermeneutical Principles Newman University, Birmingham, .
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Association for Learning Technology (ALT) Annual Conference: Shared Experience, Different Perspectives Accessibility and Inclusivity: Opening up Virtual Learning Environments using Universal Design for Learning Online, .
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Pedagogy for Higher Education Large Classes (PHELC) Symposium Lightening Talk: Universal design for learning and redesigning synchronous face-to-face modules for online asynchronous learning environments with large classes Online, .
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Teaching and Learning Day, Dublin City University ‘Take it or Leave it? Insights from an asynchronous learning environment’ DCU Online, .
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Sipping Point Transforming a module from synchronous to asynchronous DCU Online, .
2021 David Kennedy, Sue Tracy Galvin, Kate Lister, Donal Fitzpatrick, Suzanne Stone (2021) DCU Accessibility Awareness Week Panel Session - How UDL and accessibility intersect to improve learning access and reduce barriers for students DCU Online, .
2021 David Kennedy (2021) MoodleMunch - DCU, TEU and National Forum for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Effective Asynchronous Teaching Using Moodle Online, .
2019 David Kennedy (2019) Catholic Education: Formal, Informal and Lifelong’ Network of Researchers in Catholic Education Religious Education, Truth and Human Knowledge: A Dynamic Relationship Institute of Education, Dublin City University, .
2019 David Kennedy (2019) European Society for Catholic Theology The Question of Truth and the Narrowing of Reason in a Post-Secular and Post-Christian Age: A Hermeneutical Contribution to Religious Education in a Pluralist Society Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, .
2017 David Kennedy (2017) Network of Researchers in Catholic Education: Developing Research in Catholic Education Fostering A Contemplative Disposition in Addressing Contemporary Issues in Catholic Education Heythrop College, University of London, .
2015 David Kennedy (2015) McAuley Conference Series: Education in Crisis Living Faith and Working Life: the Teacher as Living Sacrament Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick, .

Thesis

Year Publication
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Encounters with Truth: The Hermeneutical Task of Religious Education in the Republic of Ireland. THES
2015 David Kennedy (2015) The Presence of Christ in the Eucharist: A Strange Neglect of the Resurrection?. THES
2013 David Kennedy (2013) The Catholic Sacraments: Accommodators of the Divine-human encounter. THES

Newspaper

Year Publication
2018 David Kennedy (2018) Maintaining A Gospel of Hope In Family Life. NEWSA

Manual

Year Publication
2019 David Kennedy (2019) Catholic Schools Week 2019: 'Celebrating the Work of Our Local Catholic Schools' Staff to Staff Reflection. MANUAL
2019 David Kennedy (2019) Understanding and Living the Ethos in a Catholic Primary School: A Process Centred on Conversations. MANUAL
2019 David Kennedy (2019) Catholic Schools Week 2019: 'Celebrating the Work of Our Local Catholic Schools' Board of Management Reflection. MANUAL
2018 David Kennedy (2018) Catholic Schools Week 2018: Called to be a Family of Families Board of Management and Staff Resource 'Catholic Schools:Families of Joy'. MANUAL
2018 David Kennedy (2018) Catholic Schools Week 2018: Called to be a Family of Families Board of Management and Staff Resource 'Catholic Schools:Families of Faith'. MANUAL
2018 David Kennedy (2018) Catholic Schools Week 2018: Called to be a Family of Families Board of Management and Staff Resource 'Catholic Schools:Families of Love'. MANUAL
2017 David Kennedy (2017) Catholic Schools Week 2018: Called to be a Family of Families Board of Management and Staff Resource 'Catholic Schools: Families of Hope'. MANUAL
2017 David Kennedy (2017) Catholic Schools Week 2017: Learning with Pope Francis to Care for our Common Home - Post Primary Boards of Management Resource. MANUAL
2016 David Kennedy, CSP (2016) Understanding and Living the Ethos in a Catholic Voluntary Secondary School: A Process Centred on Conversations. MANUAL

Pamphlet

Year Publication
2016 David Kennedy, CSP (2016) Frequently Asked Questions about Catholic Voluntary Secondary Schools. PAMP

Podcast

Year Publication
2024 David Kennedy; Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ (2024) Science, Religion, and Education: 'Come, have Breakfast' with Prof Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ - Part Two. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2024 David Kennedy; Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ (2024) Science, Religion, and Education: 'Come, have Breakfast' with Prof Elizabeth A. Johnson, CSJ - Part One. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2024 David Kennedy; Br Guy Consolmagno, SJ (2024) Science, Religion, and Education: Astrophysics, Education and Creation with Br Guy Consolmagno, SJ. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Raymond Friel (2023) Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice and Education: Part Two. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Raymond Friel (2023) Catholic Social Teaching, Social Justice and Education: Part One. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; John Sullivan (2023) Lights for the Path: the Enduring Relevance of the Christian Tradition for Teachers in Catholic Schools. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Jonathan Tiernan (2023) The Politics of Primary Education in Ireland: Reform in an Era of Secularisation. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Seamus Mulconry; John Curtis (2023) The Genesis Research Report: Perspectives on Catholic Education in the Republic of Ireland. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Andrew McGrady (2023) Catholic Education and the Common Good in a Liberal Democratic Pluralist Society. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Bernadette Sweetman (2023) The Adult Religious Education and Faith Development Project (AREFD). Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Pádraig Ó Tuama (2023) Truth, Spirituality, and Art. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Seán Henry; Vivek da Silva (2023) What might it mean to Queer Catholic Education and Schooling?. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Claire Jenkins; George White (2023) Transgender Perspectives in Catholic Education. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Seán Henry (2023) The Tip of the Iceberg - A Brief Introduction to Queer Theologies. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Sean Whittle; Cora O (2023) LGBTQ+ Matters and Catholic Education: Reflections on the One Day Conference at the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Daniel O'Connell (2023) The Grace Project, Catholic Education, and Beyond. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Marie Griffin (2023) What is the Catholic Education Partnership?. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Thomas Carroll; Amalee Meehan (2023) Wellbeing, Christian Mindfulness, and Catholic Education. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Ian Corbett; Cora O'Farrell (2023) An Early Career Teacher Perspective on Teaching the. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Alan Hynes (2023) School Ethos and the Interview Process for Teachers in Catholic Primary Schools. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Alan Hynes; Miriam McCabe (2023) The Role of Partnership amongst Stakeholders in Catholic Education. PODCAST [Link]
2023 David Kennedy; Elaine Mahon (2023) Inclusivity and Good Practice in the Catholic Religious Education Classroom. Online: PODCAST [Link]
2021 David Kennedy (2021) DCU Podcast: Transformation and Innovation in Teaching. PODCAST [Link]

Web Page

Year Publication
2021 David Kennedy (2021) Engaging Students Through Asynchronous Teaching. Online: WEBP [Link]
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2024) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
Irish Philosophical Society Member 30/12/2023 -
Irish Theological Association Member 29/03/2023 -
Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE) Member 02/01/2023 -
Advance HE Connect Member 01/09/2021 -
Religious Education Forum Member 01/09/2020 -
Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education Member 01/09/2019 -
Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education Associated Researcher 01/09/2019 -
Network for Researchers in Catholic Education Member 01/09/2016 -
European Society for Catholic Theology Member 31/08/2015 -

Education

Start date Institution Qualification Subject
06/09/2016 Dublin City University Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Philosophy/Theology/Religious Education
12/01/2016 St. Patrick's Pontifical College Basic Competency Greek
02/09/2015 St. Patrick's Pontifical College Basic Competency Ecclesiastical Latin
01/09/2013 Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick MA (Research) of Arts Theology
07/09/2009 South East Technological University Bachelor (Hons) of Arts Theology and Sociology

Honors and Awards

Date Title Awarding Body
01/03/2022 Senior Fellow Advance HE
01/05/2021 DCU President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching Dublin City University
01/01/2017 Academic Scholarship Catholic Education Service
01/01/2016 Academic Scholarship Mater Dei Educational and Research Trust
01/09/2013 Assistantship Scholarship Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick
01/01/2013 Community Service Award Waterford Institute of Technology

Committees

Committee Function From / To
Research Advisory Committee, Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, DCU -

Languages

Language Reading Writing Speaking
Latin Basic Basic None
Greek (ancient) Basic Basic None
French Basic Basic None
Irish Basic Basic Basic

Reviews

Journal Role
Irish Theological Quarterly Reviewer
Religions Reviewer
International Journal of Educational Development Reviewer
British Journal of Religious Education Reviewer
JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Reviewer
Journal of Beliefs and Values Reviewer
Education Sciences Reviewer

Other Activities

Description
Arts and Humanities Open Access Journal - Reviewer
Journal of Critical Research on Religion - Reviewer
PeterLang Oxford Academic Publisher - Reviewer
International Journal of Christianity and Education - Reviewer

Creative Outputs

Year Title Type
2023 Theme Music for Conversations from the Classroom Podcast Series Recording

Media

Title Year Type Authors
Current Affairs with Johnny Holmes 2023 Radio Interviews David Kennedy
Mornings with Wendy 2023 Radio interview/panel discussion David Kennedy
Conversations from the Classroom with Dr David Kennedy 2023 Podcast David Kennedy
Maintaining A Gospel of Hope in Family Life 2018 Newspaper article (Print) David Kennedy
Amoris: Catholic Schools Week 2018 2018 Produced a TV programme David Kennedy

Research Interests

- Philosophy/Philosophy of Education:

The question of truth; Epistemology; Ontology; Continental philosophy; deconstructionist and post-structuralist critiques of modernity; Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics; the phenomenological work of Martin Heidegger; the phenomenological work of Jean-Luc Marion; the critical hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur; philosophy of education – particularly, the hermeneutics of education, critiques of positivist educational paradigms, the relationship between theology and philosophy in the meta-concepts of education; the role of religions, worldviews, values, beliefs in education systems in liberal democratic pluralist societies.

- Religious/Ethical/Multi-Belief, and Values Education:

Hermeneutics of Religious Education; meta-concepts of religious education; inclusion in religious education; Catholic Religious Education; European approaches to Religious Education and Ethical Education – particularly, critical realist, conceptual enquiry, and interpretative approaches; Approaches to Religious/Ethical/Multi-Belief and Values programmes in Irish Education.

- Educational Studies:

Management and Governance in Education – particularly, the roles and functions of patrons and trustees in Irish primary and post-primary education; ethos whole school evaluation; the development of ethos literacy; and development of authentic, affective, and agentic ethos leadership in educational contexts; Curriculum Development – particularly, the use of the Universal Design for Learning framework in curriculum design; Digital (Online) Teaching and Learning – particularly, the presence of the educator in virtual  learning environments; methods and tools for effective asynchronous and synchronous teaching and learning.

 - Philosophical and Systematic Theology:

The question of religious truth in an age of pluralisation, secularisation and detraditionalisation; Christology; the relationship between faith and reason in religious enquiry; the theological work of Jean Luc Marion; the reception of, and response to, Heideggerian phenomenology in contemporary theology; the reception of, and dialogue between, Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutics and contemporary theology; responses and critiques of onto/de-ontological theology

- Sacramental and Liturgical Theology:

Pre/Post-Conciliar theologies of the Eucharist; the liturgical movement and reform of the 20th Century; the refinement and modification of Dom Odo Casel’s mystical theology in the work of Louis Bouyer and Edward Schillebeeckx; sacramental mediation and exchange in the work of Louis-Marie Chauvet.

 

Teaching Interests

Hermeneutics and Religious Education, European Approaches to Religious Education, Catholic Religious Education, Catholic Ethos, Religious and Cultural Pluralism, Intercultural Education, Inclusion, Biblical Theology, Systematic and Philosophical Theology.

Modules Coordinated

Term Title Subject
2023 Introduction to Theology (CRS-PT) CCE502
2023 MA in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Studies (Research Supervision) ED8094
2023 Religious Education (CRS-PT) CCE501
2023 Scripture, Faith and Religious Diversity (CRS) CCE101
2023 Religious Education and the Child (BEd) ED2018
2023 RE: Integration Seminars (BRelEd) ED4301
2023 Self-Study Research Project [Research Supervision] (BEd) ED4015