Research and practice: Equal collaboration can lead to relevant research
“A trusting, eye-to-eye dialogue is needed for fruitful collaboration between research and practice,” says Sonja Muders of the German Institute for Adult Education. Amid divergent languages and priorities, how can that be achieved?
Erickson: “Active participation in communities of practice helps educators navigate changes”
“Today’s adult educators must continuously reshape their professional identity,” writes Jane Erickson in her column. She considers virtual communities of practice essential for maintaining professional relevance.
Project Stories: Breaking barriers in language learning
Ana-Maria Tanase of the Romanian organisation CPIP talks about the lessons of the international project I-BLU. The project seeks to develop efficient, user-friendly learning pathways for adult learners of English.
I argue: Structured interactions are vital in research-practice partnerships
In ELM’s "I argue" series, Finnish post-doctoral researcher Hanna Reinius states that research-practice partnerships are pivotal for bridging the gap between empirical inquiry and practical development work. However, to be successful, they require careful planning of interactions between practitioners and researchers.
Research and community-based learning against rural shrinking
The KiNESIS project shows how research can change the course of rural shrinking. It also shows the value of real-life experience of students and the transformative power of communities.
Bridging the gap: How stakeholder cooperation can enhance lifelong learning
Conducted across 21 European countries, the RegALE survey highlights the urgent need for better cooperation among policymakers, practitioners and researchers to create a more inclusive and effective adult education system in Europe. Francesca Torlone of the University of Florence discusses the survey results, noting the fragmented state of adult education and proposing solutions.
EDITORIAL How best to harness the research in adult education?
In his editorial on the theme of Research and Practice, ELM Editorial Board member Jón Torfi Jónasson highlights how good research can open new worlds and push us forward. With an open mind, it becomes a powerful inspiration for improving practice and shaping policy.
Transforming PIAAC results into action: On what to focus
The 2023 Survey of Adult Skills, the OECD’s International Assessment of Adult Competencies on literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills, paints a polarised picture between high- and low-performing countries. Data reveals a pressing need for policymakers to focus on lifelong and life-wide learning to ensure that education is more adaptive to evolving demands.
What role can companies play in civic education?
As political trust wanes and populism rises, there are calls for Europe’s corporate sector to step up. The Civic Scouts at Work programme empowers employees to promote democracy through civic education in corporate training. Can corporate social responsibility help adult learners cope with policy changes in Europe?
I argue: The Covid years reiterated the importance of lifelong learning
In ELM’s "I argue" series, Dr. Satya Brink, a Canadian researcher, states that the negative social impacts of the Covid years on disadvantaged and older adults could have been mitigated by lifelong learning.
