Because of the prominence of the congregations of women religious (popularly called nuns) in the history of the Catholic Church and, indeed, Western civilization, much of the research that has been done to date, as a result of demand, has focused on some aspect of the history of women religious in Australia. Most of the Australian women’s congregations, however, had their origin in Ireland, England and Europe as can be seen from the internationally recognised seminal publication of Dr Rosa MacGinley, A Dynamic of Hope – Institutions of Women Religious in Australia, 2nd edition, Sydney, Crossing Press and Golding Centre, Australian Catholic University, 2002. (Copies available from the Golding Centre, Strathfield Campus) These congregational histories therefore range beyond Australia.

Of considerable interest to the Centre is research on the history of women in the wider community both nationally and internationally, especially in connection with womanhood suffrage, the first and second wave women’s movements, and feminism. The Centre is seeking a competent researcher to undertake a doctoral study on Anne and Belle Golding and their married sister Kate Dwyer.

The Golding Centre is also interested in bringing feminists and the Church into dialogue and there has been produced a series of essays in which feminists and popes across the 19th and 20th centuries have been brought into dialogue using the literary device of the dinner party.

Research projects undertaken in religious history in the Centre are not confined to the Catholic Tradition. Presently there is a researcher pursuing a thesis focusing on the relationship of men and women concerning a particular issue in the Anglican Church in Australia.

Please click on this link to view our Major Research Project.