There are many compelling reasons to consider the potential contribution of military veterans to teaching in UK Further Education. To find out more about the perspectives and texts of veterans moving into teaching, a comprehensive review of the literature was done. The review's objectives were to acquire a thorough grasp of how former military…

In 2022 a proposed definition for artist-teachers in adult community learning (ACL) was put forward, on the grounds that the most notable published definition of the artist-teacher role, by Alan Thornton (2013; Artist, researcher, teacher: a study of professional identity in art and education), Jaffe et al. (2013; Teaching artist handbook), and…

The professionalism of artists and further education (FE) teachers is often questioned. This research will evaluate the impact this has on artist-teachers working in FE. Schön defines a professional as an individual who works in a highly specialized occupation. This article examines how this applies to artists and FE teachers, with reference to…

Despite communities of practice (COPs) literature asserting the importance of attending to power dynamics within these learning contexts, research has largely ignored the process of racialization within COPs and, in particular, the role anti-racist pedagogies play within these spaces. In response, I present findings from an instrumental case study…

In this article we explore our collaborative practices, since 2020, in the design and facilitation of a distinctive form of research circle aimed at 'fostering community, democracy and dialogue', which has been informed by, but distinct from, those first developed by Swedish adult educators. We ask how our work and its particular form of…

Extension agents frequently teach adult audiences, who require a different approach than youth audiences. Andragogy has been frequently used to frame research in Extension. However, it is not clear if Extension professionals apply andragogical principles in practice when teaching programs. We used Knowles' theory of andragogy and the Personal…

We present an argument for a higher priority for art in the educational system and "make a case" for the arts--to provide a rationale for its priority in adult education. This is the plan: to provide this rationale; to present practical guidelines for the processes of engaging in art that may be transformative and critical for…

Stress in adult learners is a neglected topic, despite practitioners observing that their adult learners often display psychological discomfort. We address the effects psychological stress has on learning, then define the constructs of stress, trauma, resilience, and psychological distress. Twenty-three adult learners reading at elementary levels…

The science of reading refers to the extensive body of research on how we learn to read and the most effective methods for teaching reading. Our knowledge of what works in reading instruction is based on decades of rigorous, scientifically based research in the fields of education, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. This research digest…

The paper responds to the need for understanding trends and gaps in extant research related to adult education in mathematics and numeracy, given changing skill demands and skill gaps regarding adults, and related policy, theorizing, and practice trends. This paper presents the results of a scoping review of recent empirical research related to…

Pellow's (2018) four pillars of Critical Environmental Justice (CEJ) provided a framework to address environmental justice challenges in this study of the San Diego Urban Sustainability Coalition's (SDUSC) Climate Ambassador Program. I used participatory action research to collect data from six participants in a key-informant interview,…

There is great potential for dance studios to offer more tap dancing classes with older participants in mind. The purpose of this article is to share how adult tap classes at our studio are designed to meet older adults' needs and the benefits these classes have from the points of view of 14 dancers between the ages of 48 to 79. To find out how…

International organisations have measured adult learning participation since the 1990s, using surveys like the Adult Education Survey (AES) and the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC). These surveys employ a 'triadic' classification of learning activities -- formal (FAE), non-formal (NFE) and informal learning…

Newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer did not hold back at the launch of Skills England -- a new government agency -- in July 2024. The Labour Party's 2024 election manifesto had stated that Skills England would 'bring together business, training providers and unions with national and local government to ensure we have the highly trained…

Older adults have unique learning needs that require distinct approaches, particularly in non-formal education settings, which are flexible, systematic, and less bureaucratic. Seeking methods to support these needs, this study explores agile culture--a people-centered, adaptable approach originally from software development that emphasizes…