Professor Leonardo Franchi

MA (Hons), PGCE, MEd, PGCE, Phd

Email: leonardo.franchi@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    I joined the University of Notre Dame as Professor of Catholic Education (0.5 FTE) in September 2022. I also teach in the University of Glasgow where I was Director of Catholic Teacher Education from 2012-2016. I am a member of the Executive of the Association of Catholic Institutes of Education (ACISE - a research group of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) and a Council Member of the Scottish Catholic Historical Association. I am a Series Editor for Catholic Education Globally -Challenges and Opportunities (Springer) and Education and Integral Human Development (CUA Press).

  • Teaching areas

    My teaching is in the intersection between theology and education. I have an interest in the role of liberal arts in education.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    I have supervised doctorates in topics such as Music in Islamic Education and Intercultural Education in Cyprus. I currently supervise students doing doctorates in areas such as Catholic identity, the history of Catholic teaching congregations, religious/moral education and teacher confidence.

  • Books

    Monographs

    • Franchi, L. (forthcoming 2023) Shared Mission: Religious Education in the Catholic Tradition, Second Edition. (Washington D.C.: Catholic Education Press).
    • Franchi, L. (2023), Thomas Shields and the Renewal of Catholic Education. (Washington D.C.: Catholic Education Press).
    • Rymarz, R. and Franchi, L. (2019). Catholic Teacher Preparation: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Preparing for Mission. Bingley: Emerald Publishing Ltd.
    • Franchi, L. (2017) Shared Mission: Religious Education in the Catholic Tradition. London: Scepter.

    Co-Authored Books

    • Convery, R., Franchi, L. and McCluskey, R. (2014) Reclaiming the Piazza: Catholic Education as a Cultural Project (Leominster: Gracewing).

    Edited Books

    • Franchi, L. and Rymarz, R. (Eds.), (2022) Formation of Teachers for Catholic Schools: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Era, (Singapore: Springer).
    • Convery, R., Franchi, L. and Valero, J. (2021) (Eds.), Reclaiming the Piazza III: Communicating Catholic Culture (Leominster: Gracewing).
    • Franchi, L. (2018) (Ed.), Catholicism, Culture, Education. Paris: L’Harmattan.
    • Convery, R., Franchi, L. and McCluskey, R. (2017) (Eds.) Reclaiming the Piazza II: Catholic Education and the New Evangelisation.  Leominster: Gracewing.
    • Franchi, L. and McKinney, S. (2011) (Eds.) A Companion to Catholic Education. Leominster: Gracewing.
    • Franchi, L. (Ed.) (2007) An Anthology of Catholic Teaching on Education London: Scepter UK.

  • Book chapters

    • ‘Catholic Social Teaching and the Role of the State in Education.’ In Booth P. and Azevedo Aves, A.(Eds.), (2024), Freedom, Globalisation, Enterprise and Civil Society in 21st century Catholic Social Teaching, (London: St Mary’s University Press).
    • ‘Spiritual Development’. In Carroll, M. and McCulloch, M, (Eds.) (2018, 2nd edition). Understanding Learning and Teaching in the Primary School. SAGE: London, UK (with Leon Robinson).
    • ‘Religious and Moral Education.’ In Bryce et al. (2018). Scottish Education (5th Edition) Edinburgh University Press.
    • ‘Religious Education and Catholic Education: A Scottish Perspective.’ In Whittle, S (Ed.) 2018. Researching Catholic Education: Contemporary Perspectives. Singapore: Springer.
    • ‘Catholic Schools and the New Evangelisation’. In Convery, R., Franchi, L. and McCluskey, R. (2017) (Eds.) Reclaiming the Piazza II: Catholic Education and the New Evangelisation.  Leominster: Gracewing.
    • ‘Jean-Baptise de La Salle and the Education of Teachers.’ In Jamet, C. and Nafti-Malherbe, C. (2017), (Eds.) Éduquer Aujord’hui: Mutations et Permanences. Actes du 28 Colloque de l’ACISE: Angers.
    • ‘Religious Education’ (with Conroy, J. and McKinney, S.). In Wyse, D. Hayward, L. and Pandaya, J. (2016). The SAGE Handbook of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment. London: SAGE.
    • ‘Spiritual Development’. In Carroll, M. and McCulloch, M, (Eds.) (2014).  Understanding Learning and Teaching in the Primary School. SAGE: London, UK (with Leon Robinson).
    • Words are not Enough: The Teacher in the Writings of St. Augustine’. In McCluskey, R. and McKinney, S.J. (Eds.) How the Teacher is Represented in Literature, History, Religion and the Arts: Cross Cultural Analysis of a Stereotype. Edwin Mellen Press, Lampeter, UK.
    • ‘Active Participation in the Liturgy’. In Franchi, L. and McKinney, S. (2011) (Eds.) A Companion to Catholic Education. Leominster: Gracewing.

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    • Thomas Shields, Music and Character Formation, The International Journal of Evangelization and Catechetics, 2023, 4(1), 45-61
    • Catholic Education and the Liberal Arts, Religions  (2023)14(4), 539, online.
    • Fratelli tutti and the Dialogic Spirit of Catholic Higher Education: A Reflection on Christian Humanism and Online Learning (with Anna Blackman), Educa: International Journal of Catholic Education, (2021), No.7 on line.
    • Catholic Education and the Idea of Curriculum (with Bob Davis), Journal of Catholic Education (2021), 24 (2), 104-119.
    • Reshaping Religious Education, Review of Religious Education and Theology, Volume 1, 2021, 127-140.
    • Anchoring Authority. Church Life Journal, October 22 2019 (Online).
    • Authentic Religious Education; A Question of Language. Religions. 2018, 9 (12), 403. (Open access).
    • The Mass: Heart of the Church and Academia, Church Life Journal, June 4 2018 (Online).
    • The Education and Formation of Teachers for Catholic Schools: Responding to Changed Cultural Contexts (with Richard Rymarz). International Studies in Catholic Education. 2017. 9 (1), 2-16.
    • Laudato Si’ and Ecological Education: Implications for Catholic Education. Pensamiento Educativo: Journal of Latin American Educational Research. 2016. 53 (2), 1-13.
    • Catholic Education and Intercultural Dialogue: Continuing the Conversation. Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture. 2016. 19 (4), 117-139.
    • Being Open to Others in Catholic Schools. EducA: International Journal of Catholic Education. 2016, 2
    • Initial Teacher Education in the university (My little ship, how ill-laden you are). European Journal of Teacher Education. 2016. 39 (2), 147-158.
    • The Catholic School as Courtyard of the Gentiles. Journal of Catholic Education. 2014, (formerly known as Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry and Practice) 17 (2,) 56-76.
    • Catechesis and Religious Education: A Case Study from Scotland. Religious Education. 2013, 5 (1), 467-481.
    • A Catholic Curriculum for the 21st Century (with Robert Davis). International Studies in Catholic Education. 2013, 5 (1), 36-52.
    • Can we have a ‘Second Spring’ of Catholic Higher Education. Journal of Catholic Higher Education. 2011. 30 (1), 39-56.
    • Healing the Wounds: Saint Augustine, Catechesis and Religious Education Today. Religious Education. 2011, 106 (3).
    • Summorum Pontificum and the Catholic Primary School. The Pastoral Review, Jan./Feb. 2008.

  • Conference papers

    • “Universities, Trust and the Community of Scholars,” Inspiring Trust (ACISE 2024, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, 4 April 2024).
    • Keynote lecture: ‘Formation of Teachers for the Global Compact: Rediscovering Christian Humanism, Foundations of Formation (Catholic Education Western Australia and Notre Dame University Australia, 3 July 2023).
    • Identity and Dialogue: Telling the Story,”Relevance and Listening: Communicating the Christian Message in the Plurality of Contemporary Voices, (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, May 2-4 2023)
    • ‘Enhancing Religious Education: Working with Magisterial Texts’, workshop presented at ATCRE Workshop (St Mary’s University, London, February 8, 2020).
    • ‘Master Halcrow, Priest; A Tale for Our Times’ presented at RSE-funded Symposium, New Approaches to Catholicism and Literature in 21st Century Scotland (University of Glasgow, September 13-14, 2019).
    • Presenter at nine CPD events in the Republic of Ireland, co-ordinated by the diocese of Elphin and the Religious Education Advisers of the Republic of Ireland (February 11-14, 2019)
    • ‘The Case for Catholic Schools’ presented at: The Beauty of Catholic Education in Schools (Thornycroft Conferences, October 20, 2018).
    • ‘Thoughts on Religious Education and Individualism’ presented at Religious Education in a Change of Era (Australian Institute of Theological Education, September 12, 2018).
    • ‘Religious Education Today’, Debate with Dr Sean Whittle on the nature of Religious Education (Religious Education in Catholic Schools, Heythrop College, March 9 2018).
    • ‘Authenticity and Inclusion in Religious Education’ presented at: International Conference on Catholic Religious Education (University of Malta, February 7, 2018).
    • ‘Reflections on Catholic Higher Education Today’ presented at: Research Seminar (St Mary’s University, London, January 29, 2018).
    • ‘Inclusion and Religious Education’ presented at: Scottish Educational Research Association Annual Conference (University of the West of Scotland, November 23, 2017).
    • ‘Jean Baptise de La Salle and the Education of Teachers’ presented at: ACISE 2017 (Catholic University of the South-West, Angers France, April 19, 2017).
    • ‘ITE and the University: Continuing the Conversation’ presented at: Scottish Educational Research Association Annual Conference (University of Dundee, November 24, 2016).
    • ‘Catechesis and Religious Education: Exploring the Distinction’ presented at: New Thinking in Catholic Education (Heythrop College, London, September 21, 2016).
    • ‘Seeking a Pedagogy of Communication’ presented at: Participation and sharing: managing Church communication in a digital environment" (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, April 26-26, 2016).
    • ‘A Pedagogy of Mercy’ presented (with Dr. Raymond McCluskey) at: ACISE Colloquium, Krakow, March 31, 2016.
    • ‘Catholic Education as an Agent of Cultural Change’ presented at: Creative Strategies for Promoting Cultural Change (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, April 27-30, 2014).
    • ‘Initial Teacher Education and the University: Retrieving the Liberal Arts’ presented at: Scottish Educational Research Association Conference (University of Glasgow November 20, 2013).
    • ‘The Catholic school as an Expression of the ‘Courtyard of the Gentiles’ presented at: Vatican II and the ‘New Evangelisation’ 50 Years On (Leeds Trinity University College, June 28, 2012).
    • ‘Catholic Education and Authentic Humanism’ presented at: Church Communications: People, Faces, Stories (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, April 17, 2012).
    • ‘Saint Augustine and Contemporary Catholic Religious Education’ presented at: AULRE Conference (University of Glasgow July 4, 2011).
    • 'Citizenship and Catholic Education: A Historical and Contemporary Perspective' presented at: History of Education Society (UK) Conference (London, November 26, 2010).
    • 'Responding to the Educational Emergency' presented at: Church Communications: Identity and Dialogue (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome, April 27, 2010)
    • 'Words are not Enough: The Teacher in the Writings of St. Augustine' presented at: The Teacher: Icon, Image, Identity (University of Glasgow, July 3, 2008)

  • Professional affiliations

    • Honorary Patron, Citywise Mentoring Ltd., 2021 – 2023 (Trustee from 2015 – 2021).
    • Foundation Director, Mater Christi Multi-Academy Trust, Lancaster, February 2 2021- June 5 2023.
    • Member of the Advisory Board of Educa – International Journal of Catholic Education, January 2020 – present.
    • Council Member, Scottish Catholic Historical Association (SCHA), 2019 – present.
    • Member of the Editorial Board, Studia Pedagogica Ignatiana, April 2017 – present.

  • Community engagement

    • Series Editor (Catholic University of America Press), Education and Integral Human Development (with Quentin Woden)
    • Series Editor (Springer), Catholic Education Globally (with Quentin Woden and Sean Whittle).
    • External Reviewer, Five Yearly Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (Australia) re-registration process for courses offered by the Australian Institute of Theological Education.
    • External Consultant for the writing of the Mission Statement of the Centre for the Transformation of Catholic Education, Catholic University of America, 2022.
    • Guest Editor, Religions, Special Issue on ‘Catholic Education and the Liberal Arts’ 2022.
    • Foundation Director, Mater Christi Multi-Academy Trust, Lancaster, February 2 2021- June 5 2023.
    • Member of the Advisory Board of Educa -International Journal of Catholic Education, January 2020 - present.
    • Rapporteur, Advisory Board for the future development of the Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education, St Mary’s University, London, May 9 2019 - Summer 2020.
    • Council Member, Scottish Catholic Historical Association (SCHA), 2019 - present.
    • Member of  the steering-group of Royal Society of Edinburgh Network 'New Approaches to Catholicism and Literature in 21st Century Scotland' April 2019 to March 2021.
    • Member of the Academic Advisory Forum for the Reform of Religious Education in England and Wales, 2018 -2020.
    • Lead Organiser, Association of Catholic Institutes of Education Annual Colloquium 2018, Catholicism, Culture, Education, University of Glasgow, April 4-6, 2018.
    • Member of the Editorial Board, Review of Religious Education and Theology  2018 - present.
    • Member of the Editorial Board, Studia Pedagogica Ignatiana, April 2017- present.
    • Member of the Executive, Association of Catholic Institutes of Education, 2016 - present.
    • Member of the Executive, Scottish Catholic Education Service, 2015-2018.
    • University of Glasgow School of Education Representative on the Catholic Education Commission, 2012-2014.
    • Member of Conference Committee, The Teacher: Image, Icon and Identity, University of Glasgow, 2-4 July, 2008.
    • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK), 2008 - present .
    • General Teaching Council of Scotland, 1993 - present.

  • Other

    Multimedia

    • Presenter at GRACE international webinar: Preparing for Mission Catholic Teacher Education Today 31 March 2022
    • Podcast interview with Dr Jem Sullivan (Theology and Religious Studies at Catholic University of America), Echoing Faith Today, July 10, 2021
    • Round Table on Catholic Education, May 18 2021, published in The Leaven 1.2, June/July 2021, 56-71.
    • Interview, Global Catholic Education: Interviews,  April 16, 2021.
    • ‘Catholic Teacher Education: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives,’ presented as part of the University of Glasgow School of Education Research Showcase Ethics, Values and Religion in Education, March 17 2021.
    • Catholic Teacher Education, Global Catholic Education: Knowledge Note, March 17 2021.
    • ‘International Catholic Education Research,’ webinar presented at Festival of Research, Institute of Education, St Mary University, London, February 25, 2021.
    • ‘Laudato Si’ and the Catholic Identity of Universities’, presented at International Federation of Catholic   Universities (Research webinar, February 18, 2021).
    • ‘Citizenship and Catholic Education’, paper presented at World Union of Catholic Teachers webinar, February 2, 2021.
    • Using the Compendium in Catholic Education 3: Prayer, The Cloisters, St Andrews Foundation of Catholic Teacher Education blog, February 15, 2021.
    • Using the Compendium in Catholic Education 2: Art in Religious Education, The Cloisters, St Andrews Foundation of Catholic Teacher Education blog, February 15, 2021.
    • Using the Compendium in Catholic Education 1: The Value of Questions, The Cloisters, St Andrews Foundation of Catholic Teacher Education blog,  February 18, 2021.
    • Citizenship and Education, Catholic Social Thought: Promoting Human Dignity through Family, Business, Society and Politics, February 9, 2021.
    • Christmas Travels…From Cover to Cover, Adamah Media, December 16, 2020.
    • On Graves and Greatness, Adamah Media, October 8, 2020.
    • A Traveller in a Village Called Rome, Adamah Media, September 8, 2020.
    • The work of ACISE, IFCU Education Webinar, June 25 2020.
    • For the Valleys I Sing, Adamah Media May 26, 2020.
    • Cappuccino, Anyone?  Adamah Media April 24, 2020.
    • Memories of Spain, Adamah Media, April 10, 2020.
    • Catholic Social Thought in Education: Building the Collegium, Catholic Social Thought: Promoting Human Dignity through Family, Business, Society and Politics, March 10, 2020.
    • Theological Education: A Sine Qua Non for Catholic Teachers, The Institutem Blog, St Mary’s University London, December 2018.
    • Teaching Scotland’s Future: A Manifesto for Liberal Education? Reform Scotland, June 20, 2017.
    • ‘Reclaiming the Piazza’, Thinking with the Church, Vocaris Media, January 6 2018.  (Podcast).
    • Teaching Scotland’s Future: A Manifesto for Liberal Education? Reform Scotland, June 20, 2017. (Blog).
    • Own podcasts on a variety of themes hosted on SoundCloud.