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Assistant Professor in Religious Education

Employer
DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
Location
Dublin, Ireland
Closing date
3 May 2021

School of Human Development
DCU Institute of Education

  • Three Year Fixed Term Contract

Dublin City University www.dcu.ie is a young, ambitious and vibrant University, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise and Transformation’, it is committed to the development of talent, and the discovery and translation of knowledge that advances society and the economy. DCU is the Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.

The University is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. It currently has more than 18,000 students enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education. DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on creating a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. This exceptional commitment on the part of its staff and students has led to DCU’s ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It also consistently features in the world’s Top 100 Young Universities (currently in QS Top 70 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100).

DCU is placed 84th in the world, in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings – measuring higher education institutions’ contributions towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past decade, DCU has also been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

DCU Institute of Education

The DCU Institute of Education is the newest faculty of Dublin City University. It is based in a €70 million purpose built facility on the DCU St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra in Dublin. Established in 2016 as Ireland’s first University faculty of Education, it has a staff of more than 130 full-time academics and a student body in excess of 4,000.

The Institute brings together students of education across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. As well as providing a range of undergraduate programmes in education, the Institute offers a rich menu of taught and research-based post-graduate programmes, at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate levels.

As a centre of expertise and excellence in teacher education and education more generally, the Institute hosts a range of research centres in key areas of priority and has an ambitious and growing programme of research. With internationally-recognised experts in education policy, inclusive and special education, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment, literacy, evaluation, digital learning and teacher education, the Institute provides a dynamic learning and working environment. Staff can expect to encounter opportunities for multi-disciplinary work, not just in the Institute, but across the University. As one of the world’s leading young Universities, DCU has established its fifth and newest faculty out of a conviction that studies and research in education and the preparation and support of teachers are central to the transformation of lives and communities.

Committed to academic excellence and innovation, the DCU Institute of Education is confident its students and staff, and its graduates can flourish and lead in the challenging and complex contexts of 21st century education.

School of Human Development

The School of Human Development is one of the six schools within the DCU Institute of Education. The School is made up of a dynamic and unique group of scholars, researchers and teachers working in partnership, and whose academic interests span teacher education, the humanities, the social sciences, and the broad field of Human Development including religious education.

We are now seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor with expertise in the field of religious education, and a particular interest in religious education in Catholic primary/elementary schools. The successful candidate will join an established team supporting initial teacher education, professional learning and research in the fields of religious education, Catholic religious’ education, and teacher education more broadly.

Duties and Responsibilities

The post will have a range of responsibilities including but not limited to the following:

Teaching and Learning

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute significantly to the development, teaching, assessment and administration of existing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in teacher education, with a particular emphasis on preparing students to teach religious education in primary schools. This will include teaching across a variety of modules in religious, spiritual, theological and ethical education. Contribution to a growing professional learning programme for teachers will also be expected. The supervision of students on school placement forms part of this role.

The person appointed to this position will be expected to contribute to the teaching of other areas of education (as requested by the Head of School) in addition to the specialist areas, and to contribute to the wider work of the DCU Institute of Education. The person will also be expected to contribute to the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education, working with the Centre’s Director and team in the development of Catholic education across the spectrum.

Research and Scholarship

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the scholarship and research profiles of the School of Human Development and the Mater Dei Centre for Catholic Education through high-quality research and publication in their area of expertise. This will be undertaken in association with colleagues in DCU and research networks in religious education, Catholic religious’ education, and Catholic education more broadly.

Service and Contribution to University & Society

The candidate will undertake administrative functions related to the activities of the School of Human Development. These activities, defined by the Head of School, may include participation in School meetings, engagement in meetings related to programmes, representing the School in marketing and recruitment of students, developing relationships with stakeholders, participating in Open Days, organisation of conferences, seminars, etc.

Candidate Requirements

  • A post-graduate qualification in religious education or closely associated field, preferably at doctoral level.
  • Familiarity with developments in primary education in Ireland, with current developments in and research on religious education for children, and with developments in Catholic religious’ education will be expected.
  • Experience of working in and with primary schools, and of initial teacher education for the primary sector is highly desirable.
  • An emerging research/publication profile
  • The successful candidate should be capable of working in a team and contributing to developing the teaching and research agenda within the School.

The position is subject to the candidate being Garda Vetted.

Mandatory Training

The post holder will be required to undertake the following mandatory compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, and Data Protection (GDPR). Other training may need to be undertaken when required.

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