Learning, Society, & Religious Education

The department seeks to foster the personal and spiritual development of its students and to encourage them to be active citizens.

To that end, we value and promote constructive and critical inquiry and seek to promote this inquiry through our teaching and research. We welcome any inquiries about the work of the department and particularly welcome any interest in our research agenda or in engaging in postgraduate research within the department.

Department Mission Statement

The Department of Learning, Society, and Religious Education (LSRE) represents a range of diverse and complementary disciplines within the field of education. The exploration of key issues in education concerning human flourishing is of primary significance. Central to our work are the questions of how religious beliefs and traditions, spiritualities, equality, active citizenship, social justice, relationships in education, pedagogies, the governance of education, the history and status of childhood, children’s rights, wellbeing, gender issues, amongst others, all contribute to learning how we can share our planet and live well together. We nurture interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and international relationships in teaching, learning, research and service to the community in a spirit of creativity, enjoyment, collegiality and academic freedom.

Departmental Assistantship

The Department of Learning, Society, and Religious Education (LSRE) is currently inviting applications from post-graduate students (MA by research and thesis or PhD) for the post of departmental assistant. This innovative, multi-disciplinary department provides opportunities to work with staff members and engage in a large variety of tasks and projects thereby enhancing the overall research experience and developing new skills. Staff research interests include: Global Education and Citizenship, Religious Education, Wellbeing in Education, Education Policy and Working in DEIS schools. Examples of work experience include the planning and provision of tutorials, organisation of materials, and assistance with organisation of events. The departmental assistants will be encouraged to attend training sessions provided by the RGSO and the Learning Enhancement and Academic Development (LEAD) centre.

A Departmental Assistantship award currently provides for a stipend of €6,900.00 per annum (AY2024/25) along with a full fee waiver in Years 1, 2 & 3 for PhD students. Where a DA Awardee enters a 4th year of studies, a full fee waiver is provided, but no stipend is payable in Year 4 and no duties are required in Year 4. MA (research and thesis) students who receive a DA Award are entitled to a stipend of €6,900.00 (AY2024/25) with a full fee waiver for a two year period.

For more information about a Departmental Assistant (DA) Award please click here.

To download the DA Award application form (word) please click here.

To download the DA Award application form (pdf) please click here.

Completed application forms should be submitted to Dr Treasa Campbell, Acting HoD, Dept. of LSRE by 5 June 2024.

CPD Trip to University of Oxford

In January 2020, members of MIC's Department of Learning, Society, & Religious Education took part in a CPD trip to the University of Oxford.

You can see some photos of the CPD trip here.