Faith-Based Education

Researchers in this cluster are committed to investigating the complexities of educational institutions and frameworks within the context of the Christian faith. The cluster promotes innovative, inclusive, and effective educational practices in higher education as well as in primary and secondary education that contribute to the holistic development of learners.

Our faculty and HDR candidates explore the intersection of education and faith from a variety of perspectives and research methodologies. Projects in this cluster include studies on digital teaching methods, the experience of international students, the collaboration between schools and universities, the role of religion in green education, and character development within the context of educational institutions. This body of research serves the flourishing of the common good by supporting, challenging, and enriching the work of educational institutions in Australia and beyond.

Recent Publications

Luetz, J.M., Hukkinen, E. & Dowden, T. (2024). Heutagogy as a Framework for Christian Discipleship: The Triadic Role of Biblical Wisdom Literature, the Teachings of Jesus Christ, and the Work of the Holy Spirit. Journal of Religious Education, 1–20. | External link

Stevens, K. (2024). PhD Thesis Citation Analysis to Evaluate the Success of Collection Development Policy Implementation: An Institutional Case Study. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association. Volume 73, Issue 2. 1–9. | External link

Stevens, K. & Ng, S. (2024). Atla Down Under In Matthew Collins, James Estes & Myka Kennedy Stephens (Eds), Shifting Stacks: A Look at the Future of Theological Libraries in Celebration of Atla’s 75th Anniversary (pp. 108-123). Chicago: Atla Open Press. | External link

Westraad, S; Mathews, J; Munday, C (2024). Creating Shared Spaces: A Collaborative Partnership Model that Prepares Initial Teacher Education Students for Effective Practice In Green, C; Eady, M, Creating, Sustaining, and Enhancing Purposeful School-University Partnerships. Springer.

Arasaratnam-Smith, L.A. and Deardorff, D. K.(2023). Developing Intercultural Competence in Higher Education: International Students’ Stories and Self-Reflection. Routledge. | External link

HDR Theses

Blanche, Sean. The significance of emotional and spiritual intelligence in effective mentoring (PhD)

Brown, Melissa. Re-imagining parent partnership in Christian education: the impact of parent-teacher coaching in building parent partnerships (PhD)

Dinale, Joshua. Christian Rites of Passage Programs in Educational Settings: Identity Formation Among Adolescents (PhD)

Healy, Tim. The Role of Ecotheological Education and Ecotheological Practice in Australian Theological Higher Education (PhD)

Norman, Murray. The value of religious education (SRE and GRE) to a multicultural Australia (PhD)

Spencer, Melanie. Seeing Anew: Positive Education and Christian Education Through the Lens of What If Learning (PhD)

HDR Theses (Completed)

Henriksson, Carissa. Embracing Vulnerability: A Case Study on Educational Experiences and Social Integration of Migrants and Immigrants in a Swedish School (PhD)

Lim, Young-Hee. Study of Christian Education Paradigm for the Development of the Identity of the 2nd Generation Korean Young Adults in Australia (PhD)

Lockhart, Emily. The interrelationship between a teacher’s worldview, personal beliefs, and the delivery of the Personal, Social and Community Health Strand of the Western Australian Health and Physical Education Curriculum, within secondary schools (PhD)

Polley, Nathan. Spiritual development of servant leaders in Aotearoa-New Zealand tertiary education contexts (DMin)

Norman, Trevor. Teachers’ Voices: An Exploration of How Well-being Interventions Affect Teacher Well-being in Faith-based schools (MPhil)