Examining the “Weak Field” of Adult Education

Abstract

Against the background of internal developments of adult education as a field of study, and new external conditions for research, this chapter examines how the configuration of adult education research has been evolving, particularly over the last decade. Drawing on Bourdieu’s concept of the scientific field, we argue that adult education is a “weak” field. Our findings suggest that the field is facing three main challenges. First, the regional fragmentation of the field that was noticed at the end of the 1990s, has continued and seems to have intensified. Second, a disciplinary fragmentation and “hollowing out” of the field can be observed. Third, we note a disconnect between academic adult education research and policy-related research. We provide a couple of speculations as to the future of adult education as a field of study, with a particular focus on the issue of policy relevance, which is contested among adult educators.