Associate Professor Michael Buchanan

Faculty of Theology and Philosophy, School of Theology, Deputy Head of School 

Areas of expertise: Catholic religious education leadership; faith-based educational leadership. 

HDR Supervisor accreditation status: Full 

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5285-1208

Phone: +61 03 9953 3294

Email: michael.buchanan@acu.edu.au

Location: Melbourne Campus ACU

Michael T. Buchanan PhD is the Deputy Head of School, Theology and an Associate Professor in religious education in the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy at Australian Catholic University. He is a member of the La Salle Academy for Religious Education and lectures at postgraduate level in religious education curriculum development and in leadership in religious education. His research interests include religious education and faith-based leadership. He has published widely in international scholarly journals and his book publications include; Global Perspectives on Catholic Religious Education in Schools, Leadership and Religious Schools: International Perspectives and Challenges. Michael is the immediate past editor of Religious Education Journal of Australia. He is a research fellow at York St John University, UK and an affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Malta.

Select publications:

  • Buchanan, M. T. (2021). Identity Formation and Australian Catholic Schools: Examining the Role of the Religious Education Teacher. In R. Wills, M. de Souza, M. A. Bakkar, J. M. McMahon, C.Roux (Ed.). The Bloomsbury Handbook of Culture and Identity from Early Childhood to Early Adulthood (pp. 187-196). London, UK: Bloomsbury.
  • Buchanan, M. T. (2021) Solitude practices in the context of Catholic education. In J. Stern, C. A. Sink, M. Wałejko, and W. P. Ho (Ed.). Handbook of Solitude, Silence and Loneliness. London, UK: Bloomsbury.
  • Buchanan, M. T. (2021). The role of the religion teacher in Australia: Pluralism within a faith-based religious education approach. In L. J. Francis, S. Parker, D. W. Lankshear (Ed.). New Directions in Religious and Values Education: International Perspectives (pp. 17-35). UK: Peter Lang Publications. ISBN: 9781789978766
  • Stern, J., & Buchanan, M. T. (2021). RE leader connectedness: a theology of the lived reality of Catholic education. Journal of Beliefs and Values, 42(3), 378–392. DOI: 10.1080/13617672.2020.1850610
  • Buchanan, M. T. (2020). Teacher education: What Australian Christian schools need and what higher education delivers. International Journal of Christianity & Education, 24(1), 96–107. DOI: 10.1177/2056997119892642
  • Horner, R., Pollefeyt, D. Bouwens, J. Brown, T. Jacobs_Vandegeer, C. Heaney, M. Buchanan, M. T. (2020). Openness to Faith as a Disposition for Teachers in Catholic Schools. International Journal of Practical Theology, 24(2), 231-251. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ijpt-2019-0044
  • Buchanan, M. T. (2019). The transmission of religion: Reconceptualising the Religious Education Leader. In M. T. Buchanan & A. M. Gellel (Eds.). Global perspectives on Catholic religious education in Schools Volume II: Learning and Leading in a Pluralist World (pp.139-150). Netherlands: Springer Press. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-6127-2 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-6127-2_12
  • Buchanan, M.T. & Lacey, A. (2019). Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to Facilitate Cognitive Engagement. Greek Journal of Religious Education, 2(2), 29-45.
  • Branson, C.M., Marra, M. & Buchanan, M.T. (2019) Re-constructing Catholic school leadership: Weaving together mission, identity and practice. International Studies in Catholic Education, 11(2), 219-232.
  • Buchanan, M.T. (2018). Sustaining School Based Religious Education Leadership. Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education, 9(2), 68-78. DOI: 10.2478/dcse-2018-0015
  • Bentley, P. S. & Buchanan, M. T. (2017). The significance of formation agendas in a Christian higher education program for spiritual directors. Religious Education, 112(4), 351-365. DOI: 10.1080/00344087.2015.1132520

Projects:

  • 2019 – Teacher Experience with the Trail Religious Education Curriculum. Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta. (Investigators: Associate Professor William Sultmann, Professor Tanya Aspland, Associate Professor Michael Buchanan, Professor Geraldine Castleton, Professor Br David Hall FMS) $30,000
  • 2014 - Religious Education Leadership: An investigation of the perceptions of key stakeholders on the establishment of a Religious Education Leader Policy for primary schools in the Diocese of Sale. (Investigator: Dr Michael T Buchanan) $20,000
  • 2013 – Curriculum Review – Senior School Religious Education Funded by St Columba’s College. (Investigator: Dr Michael T Buchanan) $12000
  • 2012 - Supporting leaders and aspiring leaders for leadership in religious education. Funded by the Small Project Support Scheme, National School of Religious Education, Australian Catholic University. (Investigator Dr Michael T Buchanan) $5000
  • 2012 - The Publication Support Scheme was awarded for the successful completion and publication of an article and the conditions of the grant allow the funds to be allocated to marking relief or conference support. $2500
  • 2009 – Learning for Leadership: An educational platform for the proposed centre for leadership and learning in the Melbourne Archdiocese. Funded by the Director of Catholic Education, Catholic Education Office, Melbourne. (Investigators: Professor Judith Chapman and Dr Michael T Buchanan) $75000
  • 2008 – An exploration of the multimodal delivery of a secondary pre-service teacher education program: Perception of pre-service teachers and school and university personnel. Funded by Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Australian Catholic University. (Investigators: Dr Josephine Ryan, Ms Melitta Jones, Dr Peter Morris, Dr Mary Nuttall, Dr Michael T Buchanan) $8000
  • 2007 – An evaluation of senior school religious education in a Catholic secondary school. Funded by St Columba’s College. (Investigator: Dr Michael T Buchanan) $6600
  • 2006 – An exploration of the interplay between cognitive, affective and spiritual dimensions in education. Funded by Faculty of Education, Teaching and Learning Small Grants Scheme. (Investigators: Dr Marian de Souza, Dr Brendan Hyde, Michael T Buchanan) $5000
  • 2006 – A literature review on religious education in Catholic schools as part of the Melbourne Archdiocesan Primary RECs Project. Funded by the Catholic Education Office, Melbourne. (Investigators: Associate Professor Kath Engebretson, Dr Michael T Buchanan) $2000

Appointments and affiliations:

  • Affiliate Associate Professor, University of Malta (2014 to present)
  • Visiting Fellow, York St John University, UK (2010 to present)
  • Visiting Scholar, University of St Michael's College, Toronto, Canada

Editorial roles:

  • Editor International Collection: Buchanan, M. T. & Gellel, A. M. (Eds.). (2019). Global perspectives on Catholic religious education in Schools Volume II: Learning and Leading in a Pluralist World. Netherlands: Springer Press. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-6127-2
  • Editor International Collection: Buchanan, M. T. & Gellel, A. M. (Eds.). (2015). Global perspectives on Catholic religious education in Schools. Netherlands: Springer Press. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-20925-8
  • Editor International Collection: Buchanan, M. T. (Ed.). (2013). Leadership and religious schools: International perspectives and challenges. New York, USA: Bloomsbury Academic.
  • Editor Peer Reviewed Journal: Religious Education Journal of Australia (2008 - 2015)
  • Editorial Board: Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education
  • Editorial Board: Australasian E-Journal for Catholic Studies
  • Editorial Board: Greek Journal of Religious Education
  • Editorial Board: Melita Theologica
  • Editorial Board: Religious Education Journal of Australia
  • Editorial Board: Transformation in Higher Education

International journal review panel:

  • Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education
  • Greek Journal of Religious Education
  • Melita Theologica

 

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