The Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy was established in 2018 with the ambition to conduct and co-ordinate research on the past, present and future of public education. Through this, the centre seeks to promote a sustained and informed public conversation around the present condition and future possibilities of education at all levels, from pre-school to higher education, and across a wide range of different settings, including adult education and non-formal education.
The centre understands public education as education funded by public means, democratically accountable to the public, and accessible for everyone. It thus acknowledges the intrinsic connection between public education and democracy. Public education is an important institution of democratic societies. On the one hand it can be a democratising force in its own right; on the other hand there is the ongoing question what it requires from democratic societies to make public education possible.
The centre is acutely aware that the existence of public education cannot be taken for granted and that in our times public education is under pressure. This has partly to do with the rise of populist politics and authoritarian modes of governance that seem to prefer private (group) interests over the common good. It also has to do with many dynamics in education itself, such as the rapid growth of privately funded education, including commercial on-line education, the distorting influence of the global education measurement industry, and the impact of narrow views about what should matter in education, partly promoted by this industry. Even the global ambition to create equal opportunities for all is not without problems, as it is often connected to narrow economic rather than broader democratic agendas.
The centre is involved in a number of research projects – for more information please click here. It has established an annual doctoral conference – see here. Members of the centre publish and present actively about questions concerning public education – see here – and are involved in policy and practice development in a range of contexts – see here. We hold regular seminars and events at the campus of Maynooth University – see here – and contribute to teaching and supervision.
If you want to know more about the centre or become involved in its activities, please contact Prof Carl Anders Säfström, Director of the centre.
Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy
ToggleSecond Doctoral Conference on Public Education and Pedagogy: First Announcement
The Centre for Public and Pedagogy intends to hold its second Doctoral Conference in May 2021.
Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2020
New Book by Professor Carl Anders Säfström
Professor Carl Anders Säfström, director of theCentre for Public Education and Pedagogy in Maynooth University, latest book entitled 'A Pedagogy of Equality in a Time of Unrest' will be published on 8 September 2020. A Pedagogy of Equality in a Time of Unrest addresses education and teaching as fundamental democratic forms of equality. It offers an alternative route for democracy and education and shows how particular shifts in ways of thinking and practising can lead to an education in favour of a democratic life for all. This book will be of great interest to academics, researchers and postgraduate students in the fields of the philosophy of education, history of education, critical sociology of education and educational theory. It will also appeal to activists and those interested in emancipatory forms of education and pluralist democracy.
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2020
Second Doctoral Conference on Public Education and Pedagogy: First Announcement
Our ambition, therefore, is to hold the second doctoral conference in May 2021, starting on Monday 10 May and concluding on Friday 14 May. This is an event where doctoral students can present their ongoing work on questions concerning public education and (public) pedagogy. We will issue a full announcement early in December 2020. This will include a call for presentations and a call for registration.
When: Wednesday, 26 May 2021

We can be found in the Education building on North Campus