School of Education

Dr Karen Walshe

Dr Karen Walshe

Associate Professor of Education / Director of Education and Student Experience, School of Education / PGCE Secondary RE Subject Lead

 K.S.J.Walshe@exeter.ac.uk

 4983

 +44 (0) 1392 724983

 North Cloisters NC138

 

North Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

Qualifications

PhD in Education (2009)

MA in History of Modern Art and Design (1998)

B Religious Studies with QTS (1987)

Career

Associate Professor in Education, School of Education, University of Exeter (2021-present)

Senior Lecturer in Religious Education, School of Education, University of Exeter (2003-2021)

Research Assistant, University of Exeter (1998-2003)

Head of RE, Tremough school, Penryn, Cornwall (1988-1998)

Teacher of RE, Stoodley Knowle school, Torquay, Devon (1987-1988)

Links

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

  • Pre-service teachers' personal epistemologies
  • Teachers' professional learning
  • What might be meant by 'understanding' in (Religious) Education

In this short video recorded as part of the University of Exeter's "Exe Talks" series, I share some of my research into what might be meant by 'understanding' in Religious Education and explore why the metaphors we use for understanding in Education matter https://youtu.be/qug2XpV5Kaw

Research projects

  • PROMENTOR: Promoting Mentors’ Work in Education (Erasmus+ project funded by the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport)
  • PROTEACH: Promoting teachers' success in their induction period (Erasmus+ project funded by the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport)
  • Bridging the Gaps: Negotiating differing constructions of religion and religious education in initial teacher education (funded by St Luke's College Foundation)
  • The RE-searchers: A critical dialogic approach to RE in primary schools (funded by Culham St Gabriel's Trust)
  • RETAIN: Creating inclusive and collaborative learning environments (funded by the European Commission)
  • RE-flect: Metacognition and RE (funded by Esmee Fairbairn)
  • Exploring Diversity: Enhancing the training of RE teachers (funded by St Luke's College Foundation)
  • Understanding 'religious' understanding in RE (funded by The Farmington Institute) (http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/education/research/projects/details/index.php?id=104
  • The Biblos Project (phases 2-4) (funded by The Bible Society)
    (report available: please download an order form from our Publications webpage)
  • The Parables Project
  • Teaching about Jesus in RE (phases 1 & 2) (funded by The Jerusalem Trust)
    (report available: please download an order form from our Publications webpage)

Research networks

Religion, Spirituality and Education Network

Centre for research in Professional Learning 

Association for University Lecturers in Religion and Education

International Seminar for Religious Education and Values

Devon Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education

Learn, Teach, Lead RE (South West)

Research grants

  • 2016 Erasmus Plus
    The main aim of the project is to create an effective model of teacher induction. The project will involve working with schools and HEIs in the UK, Israel, Estonia, Romania and Austria to develop and trial an intervention program designed to support beginning teachers (BT) during their induction period.
  • 2015 St Luke's College Foundation Trust
    The overall aim of the project is to help trainee teachers of Religious Education (secondary school) to examine, explore and find their way through the various (and often conflicting) understanding(s) of religion and religious education that they meet (or have met) in their: a) Undergraduate (and previous post-graduate degree if relevant) b) PGCE course c) Placement schools
  • 2013 European Union
    The overall aim of the RETAIN Project is to create and develop an inclusive and creative school environment. An important precondition for this to happen, and thereby ensuring that the children and young people obtain the relevant key competences that are needed for them to thrive in today’s society, is the presence of highly qualified teachers and school managers.
  • 2011 The Farmington Institute
    This is a small scale collaborative study with the University of Birmingham which sets out to explore teachers' understanding of 'understanding' in Religious Education.
  • 2004 Westhill Endowment Trust
    Publication of Biblos Phase 3 Research Report
  • 2004 Saint Gabriel's Trust
    Biblos Project Phase 3 Interview Analysis
  • 2004 Hockerill Educational Trust
    Biblos Project Phase 4 (New Zealand)
  • 2004 All Saints Education trust
    Publication of Biblos Phase 4 Research Report
  • 2003 SELL Research Committee
    Pump-priming visit to the Centre for Research in Religious Education, Dublin, Ireland.
  • 2003 Jerusalem Trust Fund
    Second phase of the Teaching about Jesus in RE project
  • 0 St Luke's College Foundation Trust
    Pupil perceptions of Interfaith dialogue
  • 0 Templeton
    Spiritual development: School provision and pupil outcomes
  • 0 St Luke's College Foundation Trust
    Enhancing the preparation of trainee teachers to teach world religions in schools
  • 0 St Luke's College Foundation Trust
    Exploring Diversity: Enhancing the Training of Teachers in Religious Education
  • 0 Arts and Humanities Research Council
    Opus and Dei and Education: A Political Theology in Action
  • 0 Keswick Hall Trust
    This is a small scale collaborative study with the University of Birmingham which sets out to explore pupils' understanding of 'understanding' in religious education
  • 0 St Luke's College Foundation Trust
    This project seeks to examine the impact of learning about world religions through visits to faith communities on trainee teachers' understanding of those religious traditions.

Links


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Publications

Books

Savini, H. Walshe, K. (2003). Biblos Secondary Teacher's Handbook. Norwich, RMEP, SCM Canterbury Press Ltd.
Walshe, K. (2003). Troubled People. Norwich, RMEP, SCM Canterbury Press Ltd.

Journal articles

Baumfield V, Bethel A, Dowek A, Walshe K, Mattick K (In Press). Characteristics of Research into Professional Learning across Professions: a mapping review. Review of Education Abstract.
Baumfield V, Bethel A, Dowek A, Walshe K, Mattick K (In Press). Characteristics of Research into Professional Learning across Professions: a mapping review. Review of Education Abstract.
Walshe K (2021). Introduction. British Journal of Religious Education, 43(2), 240-240.
Walshe K (2020). Seeing, grasping and constructing: pre-service teachers’ metaphors for ‘understanding’ in religious education. British Journal of Religious Education, 42(4), 471-489. Abstract.
Walshe K (2020). ‘Ah, now I see!’ Why the metaphors we use for ‘understanding’ in RE matter. RE Today, 37, 3
Stern J, Matemba Y, Lundie D, Walshe K (2019). Editorial: Why knowing this matters. British Journal of Religious Education, 41(2), 121-123.
Freathy R, Doney J, Freathy G, Walshe K, Teece G (2017). Pedagogical Bricoleurs and Bricolage Researchers: the case of Religious Education. British Journal of Educational Studies, 65(4), 425-443. Abstract.
Walshe KSJ (2016). What is meant by 'religious understanding'?. RE Today, 33, 58-60.
Larkin S, Freathy R, Walshe K, Doney J (2014). Creating metacognitive environments in primary school RE classrooms. Journal of Beliefs and Values: studies in religion and education, 35(2), 175-186. Abstract.
Walshe KSJ, Larkin S, Freathy RJK, Doney J (2014). Creating metacognitive environments in primary school RE classrooms. Journal of Beliefs and Values: studies in religion and education, 35(2), 175-186.
Walshe KSJ, Teece GM (2013). Understanding 'understanding' in Religious Education. British Journal of Religious Education, 35(3), 313-325. Abstract.
Freathy R, Aylward K (2010). 'Everything is in parables': an exploration of pupils' difficulties in understanding Christian beliefs concerning Jesus. Religious Education (USA), 105(1), 86-102. Abstract.
Aylward K, Freathy, R. (2008). Children's conceptions of Jesus. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 29(3), 297-304. Abstract.
Walshe, K. (2006). PSHE and the Whole Person. Into Teaching, 8, 15-17.
Walshe, K. (2006). Promoting the Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils. Into Teaching, 6, 21-22.
Walshe, K. (2006). The problem of Bullying. Into Teaching, 9, 5-7.
Aylward, K. (2006). Who do you say I am? Young people's conceptualisations of Jesus. Journal of Religious Education (Australia), 54(4), 27-36.
Walshe, K. (2005). Caring and Tutoring. Into Teaching, 3, 17-18.
Walshe, K. (2005). Pastoral Care. Into Teaching, 1, 6-7.
Walshe, K. (2005). Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Into Teaching, 5, 23-24.
Walshe, K. (2005). The Whole Person. Into Teaching, Introduction, 8-10.
Walshe, K. (2005). What do young people really think about Jesus?. British Journal of Religious Education, 27(1), 65-78.
Loucaides, C., Chedzoy SM, Bennett, N. Walshe, K. (2004). Correlates of Physical Activity in a Cypriot Sample of Sixth Grade children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 16(1), 25-36.
Walshe, K. (2003). The Jesus Factor. Teaching Thinking, 11, 24-25.
Copley, T. (2001). The Jesus of Agreed Syllabuses in Key Stage 1 and the Jesus of Theology and Religious Studies. British Journal of Religious Education, 24(1), 32-40.
Walshe, K. (2000). The Bible in Upper Secondary School: Not always more boring than 'watching paint dry'. Resource, 23(1), 6-8.

Chapters

Baumfield V, Walshe K (2023). Developing Religious Education teachers’ orientative knowledge: an analysis of provision for professional knowledge formation in England. In Schweitzer F, Freathy R, Parker SG, Simojoki H (Eds.) Improving Religious Education Through Teacher Training: Experiences and Insights from European Countries, Munster. New York: Waxmann, 185-200.
Walshe KSJ (2017). Lesson Planning. In Barnes LP (Ed) Learning to Teach Religious Education in the Secondary School a Companion to School Experience, Routledge, 33-55. Abstract.
Walshe KSJ, Teece G (2017). Understanding ‘Religious Understanding’ in Religious Education’. In James A, Barnes P (Eds.) Education and Religion, Routledge.
Larkin S, Freathy R, Walshe KSJ, Doney J (2016). Creating metacognitive environments in primary school RE classrooms. In Kuusisto A, Lovat T (Eds.) Contemporary Challenges for Religious and Spiritual Education, Abingdon: Routledge, 45-56.

Reports

Walshe K, Teece G (2019). PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS' UNDERSTANDING OF UNDERSTANDING IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION. 20 pages. Abstract.
Freathy G, Freathy R, Doney J, Walshe K, Teece G (2015). The RE-searchers: a New Approach to Primary Religious Education. Exeter, University of Exeter.
Copley, T. Freathy, R. (2006). Biblos in New Zealand: the 4th Report of the Biblos project.  Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter.
Allen G, Copley, T. Freathy, R. Jones, S. Walshe K (2006). Teaching about Jesus in Religious Education: Improving Children's learning. Exeter, University of Exeter.
Allen, G. Copley, T. Freathy, R. (2006). Teaching about Jesus in Religious Education: Improving Children's learning.  Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter.
Copley, T. Freathy, R. Lane, S. (2006). The Speech of Angels: an extension to the third report of the Biblos Project.  Exeter, School of Education & Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter/Scope/DfES.
Copley, T. Freathy, R. Walshe K (2005). Teaching Biblical Narrative: a summary of the main findings of the Biblos Project, 1996-2004. University of Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Copley, T. Freathy, R, Lane, S. (2004). On the side of the Angels: the third report of the Biblos Project. Exeter, University of Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Copley, T.D (2002). The Figure of Jesus in Religious Education, the report of the Teaching about Jesus in Religious Education Project. Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter.
Lane, S. Savini, H. Walshe, K. (2001). Where Angels Fear to Tread: the second report of the Biblos Project. University of Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Walshe, K. (2000). Teaching about Jesus in Religious Education. Exeter. School of Education and Lifelong Learning.
Walshe, K. (Eds) (1999). Teaching the Bible. Exeter, School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University of Exeter.

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External Engagement and Impact

Advice to Government, Parliament, devolved and English regional administrations, other national, international, regional or local agencies; advice to non-government organisations and to private practice

Member for the Subject Review Panel for RE (Phase 1) (appointed by the RE Council for England and Wales)

As a member of the Devon Standing Advisory Council for RE (SACRE) I am actively involved in influencing RE policy at both national level  and local level.

Chief External Examiner for Bath Spa University, 2013-

External Examiner for MA in Religious Studies, University of Warwick, 2012-

External Examiner for Secondary PGCE Theology, York St John University, 2010-2013.

External Examiner for Secondary PGCE RE, University of Birmingham, 2010-2013.

External Examiner for the North West and Lancashire GTP Consortium 2006-2010.

External Examiner for Secondary PGCE RE, University of East London, 2006-2010.

External Examiner for Secondary PGCE RE programme at University of East London 2006-2010.


Evidence of impact on policy and professional practice

Deputy General Secretary for the International Seminar for Religious Education and Values (ISREV)

Book reviews editor for the British Journal of Religious Education

Member for the Subject Review Panel for RE (Phase 1) (appointed by the RE Council for England and Wales)

Reviewer for the British Journal of Religious Education

Deputy General Secretary of the International Seminar on Religion, Education and Values (ISREV) (elected)

Member of the Steering Group for the DCSF funded CPD in Religious Education

Member of the Professional Council for RE (PCfRE)

Member of the Devon Standing Advisory Council for RE (SACRE) (elected)

Induction and Mentor Training of teachers working on ITE programmes at the University of Exeter.


International recognition, such as international research collaborations, visiting research posts in overseas institutions, involvement at senior levels in international research associations, acting as referee for national and international research councils.

Appointed Deputy General Secretary for the International Seminar for Religious Education and Values (ISREV)

Hosted AULRE conference at the University of Exeter, July 2009

Founding Member of the Irish British RE Research Initiative (IBREI).

Co-host of the biennial Inter-University (Ireland and England) Research Colloquium for research students in Religion and Education, Oxford, 22-24th April 2008


Research-based contributions to practitioner and academic conferences

Invited to speak at the Learn, Teach, Lead RE Conference, November 2016

Sept 2015, Annual conference for Universtiy Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE), St Mary's Twickenham.

Keynote speaker at the Learn, Teach, Lead RE Conference, November 2014

Keynote speaker at the North of England RE Conference, May 2013

July 2012, biennial International Seminar on Religion, Education and Values (ISREV), Finland.

Invited to speak at the Westhill Seminars on Religious Education 16-18th March 2012.

July 2010, biennial International Seminar on Religion, Education and Values (ISREV), Ottawa, Canada.

July/August 2008, biennial International Seminar on Religion, Education and Values (ISREV), Ankara, Turkey.

July 2008, annual conference of the Association of University Lecturers in Religion and Education (AULRE), Cambridge.

April 2008 biennial Religion and Education Research Colloquium, Oxford.

July/August 2006, biennial International Seminar on Religion, Education and Values (ISREV), Driebergen, the Netherlands.

September 2004, annual conference of the Association of University Lectureres in RE (AULRE), Canterbury.

In-Service Training Courses for Headteachers, RE Advisors and RE teachers

Supervisor for the Farmington Institute for Christian Studies.

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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Ahmed Alghamdi
  • Bjorn Fuisting
  • Ismael Louber
  • John Gerard O'Connell
  • Alison Pearson
  • Karen Scott-Boyd
  • Paulina Sepulveda
  • Laura Webb

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