Event: building on the legacy of women's pivotal role in Catholic education

Join practitioners, researchers and educators on 6 November to explore the historical and contemporary contributions of women to Catholic education in the UK and beyond.

The 9.30am-4.30pm event is hosted by the Thea Bowman Research Centre, and takes place in the university's Waldegrave Suite.

Keynote speakers include Sr Dr Marie-Kolbe Zamora OSF, theologian, educator and former official of the General Secretariat of the Synod (Holy See), internationally recognised for her work in Catholic formation, synodality and theological education; and Dr Maureen Glackin, Senior Education Policy Adviser of the Catholic Education Service, and former Head of the School of Education, Theology and Leadership at St Mary’s University, and leading researcher in Catholic education.

The university is inviting proposals for papers exploring the legacy and ongoing role of women in Catholic education from historical, educational, theological or cultural perspectives: 

• 20-minute presentations

• Researchers, school and college leaders, and Catholic multi-academy trust are leaders encouraged to apply

• Abstracts of up to 300 words

Please submit abstracts to sean.whittle@stmarys.ac.uk by 5 September 2026, with acceptance notifications by 12 September 2026.

For further information please contact mary.mihovilovic@stmarys.ac.uk

Register your attendance at the event