Adult Education in Neoliberal Times

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

   PDF

2. Historical and Political Contexts for Adult Education

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Introduction

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 3-16

   3. From Adult Education to Lifelong Learning: A Changing Global Landscape

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 17-28

   4. England and New Zealand: Two National Contexts for Adult Education

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 29-47

   5. Professionalism, Professionalisation and Continuing Professional Development in the Adult Education Arena

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 49-65

3. Adult Educators’ Working Lives Researched

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 67-67

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   2. Researching Perspectives on Adult Education Policy and Practice

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 69-78

   3. A ‘Non-career’: Occupational Identities and Career Trajectories

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 79-97

   4. Adult Educator Philosophies and Values

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 99-115

   5. Confronting the Dilemmas: Accommodation and Resistance

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 117-131

   6. The Bigger Picture: Strategy and Advocacy

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 133-153

   7. Lessons for Neoliberal Times

      • Marion Bowl

      Pages 155-170

4. Back Matter

   Pages 171-200

   PDF

This book explores the realities of adult education practice in the current political and economic climate. With a particular focus on examining the effect of the multitude of changes in policy and philosophy over the past 30 years, the book explores how the values and career expectations of adult educators have been affected, and considers the implications for adult education as a field of professional practice. As well as exploring the broader international picture, the book draws on the findings of recent research into adult and community education practitioners’ perspectives in two case study countries – England and Aotearoa/New Zealand – to illustrate how local contexts and cultures, as well as global trends, impact  on the structure and organisation of adult education. By presenting the perspectives of adult educators, whose voices have been relatively absent from the recent literature, this book gives a unique insight into how their work has been adversely affected by funding and policy pressures in an increasingly insecure educational environment, and analyses their responses to the contradictions between their professional values and the expectations placed upon them by policy and funding changes. It will be of great interest to students and researchers working in Education and Sociology, and will also make compelling reading for policy-makers.

• community education
• neoliberalization
• adult educators
• professional practice
• lifelong learning

“Adult Education in Neoliberal Times is a useful analysis of some adult educators’ voices. It would be particularly helpful for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. It might be a worthy challenging read for students studying AE.” (Khalaf Mohamed, Adult Education Quarterly, March, 2019)

• University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

  Marion Bowl

Marion Bowl is Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Birmingham, UK. She has over 30 years’ experience developing, managing and researching adult and community education practice and policy in the UK, West Africa and New Zealand.

Policies and ethics