Title: What can we learn from research to better support adult learners in higher education?

Date: 9th June 2014

Venue: Room HG18, School of Nursing, DCU

Presenters: HERC (Higher Education Research Centre) DCU, Professor Maria Slowey; LIU (Learning Innovation Unit) DCU, Dr Mark Glynn; DACE (Department of Adult and Continuing Education) NUIM, Professor Anne Ryan.

Information about the event: Increasing higher level knowledge and skills of the adult population is an important policy objective of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. The challenges are not insignificant as the average age of entry to higher education in Ireland remains (stubbornly) one of the youngest of OECD member states (Clancy 2010). However, a growing body of research is now available in Ireland, investigating the experiences of different groups of adult learners- including mature students embarking on full-time programmes, and learners taking part-time and distance courses (most of whom are over 23) (for example, HEA 2013).

We are also learning more about the perspectives of teaching staff on their engagement with more diverse groups of learners in their transitions into, and between, higher education and other spheres of life, including the workplace, family responsibilities and civic/community engagement (for example, Slowey&Kozina 2014 forthcoming).

Learning outcomes:

The distinctive feature of this seminar is that it will bring together two different communities which do not often have the opportunity for engagement: namely (i) lecturing staff working with adult learners across a range of disciplines in universities, institutes of technology and colleges; and (ii) social science researchers who have undertaken research relevant to this highly diverse student population.

The seminar will thus promote a dynamic dialogue between higher education practitioners and researchers who have undertaken empirical studies relevant to the overarching theme of supporting transitions for adult students in higher education.

Contact: Dr Yurgos Politis (yurgos.politis@dcu.ie)