NEICE Research Interests

The Institute pursues research projects and programmes in the following areas:

Philosophical and Theological Reflection on Christian Education in the Church

including aims, approaches and principles of Christian education; worship, spirituality and Christian learning; interpretations of Christianity and their relevance for Christian education and theological education.
Publications and current projects

Faith Development Studies

including the critique and application of faith development theory; interview studies.
Publications

Christianity in School and University

including studies of theological issues relating to school RE; the study of Christianity; Christian reflections on education; the philosophy and theology of church schools; motivation for study of Religious Studies at A Level.
Publications and current projects

Empirical Research and Practical Theological Reflection in Churches and Schools/Universities

including surveys of Christian education practice with adults, youth and children; adult churchgoers' understanding of and attitudes to learning; teachers' attitudes to RE; pupils' attitudes to the Bible, their understanding of Christianity and images of Jesus; the ordinary theology of individuals and congregations.
Publications and current projects

Psychology of Religion and Religious Commitment

including research on religiosity; gender roles; personality types; the psychology of prayer; attitudes to science and religion.
Publications and current projects

The Institute has also been actively involved in the 'Receptive Ecumenism' research project located in the Department of Theology and Religion of the University of Durham.

See also Select bibliography of books on Christian education theory and research, Bibliography of recent work on church schools and a Bibliography on Christian Education and Adult Learning.

In 1994 the Institute instigated a survey of research needs in Christian education and religious education. A summary of its findings is available.