The Adult Learner Journal

The Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education: The Adult Learner is a valuable resource that documents the development of adult learning policy and practice. It provides a forum for critical reflection on the practices of teaching and learning, giving priority to subject matter that addresses social exclusion, equality, workplace learning and the study of the teacher/student relationship.

Founded in the mid-1980s, this highly-regarded journal is essential reading for anyone interested in or studying adult learning. It is the only peer-reviewed journal of adult and community education in Ireland.

Call for Articles 2026

The call is now open for articles for the 2026 edition of The Adult Learner, the Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education.

The deadline is Friday, 13th February.

Download the 2026 Call for Articles for more information.

All articles must follow The Adult Learner Style Guide 2026, available here: Style Guide 2026

Please note that all authors must submit a signed Copyright Statement and a completed Author Submission Statement.

Find information on the criteria for submitting an article to The Adult Learner here: Journal Criteria

To learn more about the peer-review process for The Adult Learner, download this infographic: Peer-review Process

Find out about the peer-review timeline here: Peer-review timeline

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Writers' Workshops

If you are interested in contributing to the 2026 edition of The Adult Learner, join us at our Writers’ Workshops!

They are are hosted by members of the journal’s Editorial Board. You can learn valuable tips and ideas about how to develop a great article.

Our Writers’ Workshop will focus on developing articles and answering any questions about the Style Guide. It will take place in the first week of December and is designed to support authors as they prepare their submissions for The Adult Learner 2026.

If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please contact the Editorial Office at journal@aontas.com.

Want to know what the Writers’ Workshops are all about?

Recordings of previous workshops are available on our YouTube channel.

2026 Call for Articles

The deadline for submissions is 13th February.

For further details, please download the 2026 Call for Articles.

Style Guide 2026

Download the 2026 Style Guide for detailed instructions on formatting and preparing your article for submission.

Latest Journals

All editions of The Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education: The Adult Learner, from 1985 – 2024, are available free of charge for download

Author Resources

Essential documents and guidance for submitting to The Adult Learner

Editorial Board

Dearbháil Lawless

The Adult Learner Journal

Call for Articles 2026

Writers' Workshops

2026 Call for Articles

Style Guide 2026

Latest Journals

Author Resources

Editorial Board

Dearbháil Lawless

Dearbháil Lawless

Chief Executive Officer

Rosemary Moreland

Rosemary Moreland

Editor, Ulster University

Jane O'Kelly

Jane O'Kelly

Dublin City University

Helen Murphy

Helen Murphy

Waterford Institute of Technology

Maria Slowey

Maria Slowey

Dublin City University

David Mallows

David Mallows

University College London

Nuala Glanton

Nuala Glanton

Cork Education and Training Board (ETB)

Bairbre Fleming

Bairbre Fleming

University College Dublin

Fran Kennedy

Fran Kennedy

Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board

Stephen O’Brien

Stephen O’Brien

University College Cork

José Pedro Amorim

José Pedro Amorim

University of Porto

Koen De Pryck

Koen De Pryck

Vrije Universiteit Brussels

Bernie Grummell

Bernie Grummell

Maynooth University

Stephen O’Brien

Stephen O’Brien

University College Cork

José Pedro Amorim

José Pedro Amorim

University of Porto

Koen De Pryck

Koen De Pryck

Vrije Universiteit Brussels