Promoting positive community relations: what can RE learn from social psychology and the Shared Space project?

Abstract

is a lecturer in psychology at University of Bristol's School of Education. Her research adopts a multi-method approach to examining intergroup processes. She has published journal articles focused on the influence of context on children's and adults' (implicit) biases and stereotypes. Shelley McKeown (PhD: Ulster) is a senior lecturer in social psychology at the University of Bristol's School of Education. Her research focuses on understanding and improving intergroup relations in diverse and conflict settings. She has published a number of journal articles focusing on intergroup contact theory. Janet Orchard (PhD Institute of Education, University of London) is a Senior Lecturer in Religious and Philosophy of Education at the University of Bristol's School of Education. Her research focuses on teachers and their professional understanding, with a particular interest in ethical deliberation and dialogue in diverse settings. She has published a number of journal articles on these themes. Kathryn Wright: (PhD: University of East Anglia) is an independent RE Adviser working primarily for the Diocese of Norwich and Culham St Gabriel's Trust. Her doctoral research explored the purpose of RE and pedagogical approaches to RE in Church of England schools. She is a co-opted member of the NATRE executive and is an RE Council representative.

Moral education and the challenge of pre-service professional formation for teachers

“…The Corrymeela initiative just described was part of a broader project called 'Shared Space' that has been concerned to address the claim that RE promotes warmer community relations, looked at through the social psychological lens of 'contact hypothesis' (Williams et al 2019). Other activities within this body of work explored the potential of the contact principles applied to RE teaching: equal status, collaboration towards common goals within context of wider institutional support.…”