G.R.A.C.E.
Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (G.R.A.C.E.) is an international research-based partnership offering academics and everyone interested in a new, integrated and revitalized approach to Catholic education the opportunity to collaborate in the analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic schools.
- Mary Immaculate College in Ireland, Boston College in the United States
- The University of Notre Dame in Australia
- St. Mary's University in London
- The International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC) in Rome
The G.R.A.C.E. lecture series is a monthly webinar on a topic of interest to Catholic schools around the world. This webinar will be presented by a panel of academics and researchers, with each partner rotating the organization of various talks. The overarching goal of the G.R.A.C.E. lecture series is to share scholarship and increase dialogue with international colleagues committed to Catholic education.
Publications and Media Reports & Events
Here we will list publications, videos, media events and reports related to Catholic Education by researchers associated with the G.R.A.C.E. initiative. If you are associated with G.R.A.C.E. and would like to link to any of your publications here, please contact denise.morris@xyschool.net.
The G.R.A.C.E. Community of Practice
Strengthening Catholic education in the current situation, and above all in a Post-Covid19 environment, requires a creative, integrative response, and a platform for thought-leaders, educators, theologians and researchers to gather, encounter and engage these tensions in new ways. Academic conferences have long been popular forums of sharing scholarship and voicing ideas. While these are respectable scholarly arenas in academia, their structure limits the ways in which participants can learn and engage together.
Through the establishment of a Global Community of Practice, GRACE’s holistic approach seeks to foster a familial humanism among participants, emerging scholars and sages. Such relationships help participants notice and respond to the presence of grace, fostering both personal and professional transformation. Participants bring their scholarship and faith to bear on select themes and topics through round-table and virtual conversations, informal discourse, and reflective discussions.
The G.R.A.C.E. Community of Practice is designed to influence three domains of the field of Catholic education:
- Cognitive: the theoretical and conceptual base of Catholic education;
- Affective: the formative qualities and experiences that shape the Catholic educator and scholar;
- Behavioral: the adoption of new understandings which influence the practice of being a Catholic educator and scholar in promoting social justice, while enhancing one’s capacity to foster a ‘culture of dialogue’ towards a global common good.
In these particular ways, GRACE hosts a ‘culture of encounter’ (Pope Francis) where people gather, learn from and grow with one another, contributing to the common good and living a sustainable manner.
The Community of Practice is for everyone interested in a new, integrated and revitalised approach to Catholic education: teachers, chaplains, parents, researchers, established and emerging academics, and thought leaders. In the early stages of the project the focus is on the UK, Ireland, North America and Australia. In its second phase, the project will be actively seeking partners in the Global South.
If you are interested in participating in a Community of Practice, please email the Roche Center at catholic@xyschool.net and write "Community of Practice" in the subject line. We will be in touch with you regarding these quarterly conversations!
Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (G.R.A.C.E.) is an international research-based partnership between Boston College in the United States, the University of Notre Dame in Australia, Mary Immaculate College in Ireland, St. Mary's University London, and now the International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC) in Rome. Project lead coordinators from each University and OIEC are listed below.
Linda Cranley, Senior Lecturer & Co-ordinator, Bed (Primary), University of Notre Dame Australia
Dr. Caroline Healy, Lecturer in Educational Leadership and Management, St Mary’s University, London
Dr. John Lydon, Programme Director, Catholic School Leadership, St. Mary's University, London
Dr. Michael O’Connor, Director of Professional Development and Outreach, Roche Center for Catholic Education
Philippe Richard, J.D., Secretary General, OIEC
Dr. Christine Robinson, Early Childhood Education & Care Senior Lecturer, University of Notre Dame, Australia
Dr. Quentin Wodon, International Office of Catholic Education (OIEC)
Dr. Melodie Wyttenbach, Executive Director, Roche Centre for Catholic Education, Boston College
Recorded G.R.A.C.E. Lectures
