I have taught, written and broadcast nationally and internationally on religion, postsecularism, literature, music, folklore, education, history of education, sectarianism, childhood studies, environmental education and the development of Catholic education in Scotland and beyond. Teacher education remains central to my interests, encouraging a wider exploration of professional values and professional formation more generally. I served on the National Partnership Group (NPG) for the implementation of Teaching Scotland's Future––the Donaldson Report on the reform of Teacher Education in Scotland. I now belong to its successor body, the National Implementation Board (NIB) and to the Shadow Board of the new Scottish College for Educational Leadership (SCEL). I am also currently Convener of the Scottish Teacher Education Committee (STEC) and a member of the Education Committee, Council and Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS).

I am currently engaged in, or have just completed, a number of significant publications projects with a range of colleagues in areas such as the effectiveness of Religious Education, the cultural history of early childhood and Scottish children's literature.