This book discusses the current state of the art in research on the education and learning of
adults and how such research has been transformed through contemporary policy and research
practices. Gathering contributions from leading experts in the field the book draws on
previous research as well as new findings in order to provide a map of this research field and
its contemporary history. The chapters address a number of questions including: What
constitutes this research field? What theories and methodologies dominate within the field?
What ¿invisible colleges¿ are active in shaping this academic field in marking out its
contours and in transforming its contemporary battle zones? Who is publishing in the field and
who is deemed worth citing? What is the relationship between the shift in state policy on adult
education and the research that is conducted on the education and learning of adults? How has
the research field changed over time in various western countries? What do these
meta-reflections of the field tell us about possible future research endeavours? Rather than
speaking from within the field this is a book about the research field. The diversity of the
chapters provide a fascinating resource for anyone interested in research on the education and
learning of adults.
