Maren Elfert|Kjell Rubenson
Adult education research: exploring an increasingly fragmented map
University of British Columbia|University of British Columbia
background internal developments adult education field study new external conditions research article examines configuration adult education research evolving particularly last decade analysis draws twopronged approach reading four seminal articles written adult education scholars conducted bibliometric analyses selected adult education journals well review 75 articles covering oneyear period 20122013 five adult education journals chosen provide greater variety field adult education terms thematic orientation geographical scope case previous reviews findings suggest field facing two main challenges first fragmentation map territory noticed end 1990s continued seems intensified second practitioners also policy community voice disappointment adult education research note disconnect academic adult education research policyrelated research provide couple speculations future map adult education field study point danger shifting research agenda away classical adult education concerns democracy social rights