| Abstract: | Adult continuing education research has acquired growing policy significance in a number of European countries. We provide an analytical overview of current adult continuing education research in the UK, where organizational structures, funding sources, topics and disciplinary parameters are all currently in a process of change. The policy significance of the field is exemplified by a major research council programme on The Learning Society; interest in this national programme of studies extends far beyond the traditional academic departments of adult education. Research in the field in universities is characterized by eclecticism and inter‐disciplinarity, within a broad social science framework. The paper summarizes the main trends and focuses in published research. One significant development is in the growth of comparative and international research. |
