Writing by Dr Kate Smyth, Strategic Communications Officer
Last week, we launched the 2024 edition of the Adult Learner, the Irish Journal of Adult and Community Education. As Ireland’s leading peer-reviewed academic journal of adult and community education, this is a fantastic resource for those working in and interested in the education sector.
According to Journal editor Rosemary Moreland, who spoke at the event, “these articles are a valuable resource to everyone working in the field of adult learning – and beyond that as well.”
Rosemary, who is a Senior Lecturer in Community Development at Ulster University, went on to say that, “in a world where values can feel off-kilter, this journal can be a safety blanket. We invite you to open the journal and wrap yourself up in this safety blanket, which is a source of inspiration to us all.”
The launch, which took place in the National College of Ireland in Dublin, featured introductions by the authors of various articles from the journal, and informal discussions between attendees.
These explored issues like online learning and adult literacy, the impact of trauma and PTSD on learning, the experience of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) practitioners, LGBTQIA+ learner support, engaging learners with disabilities, and much more.
According to one speaker, Carol Bruce from the Marino Institute, there needs to be “more awareness of Further Education – that it’s not just something students drift into. There needs to be more awareness of it in Irish society in general.”
The launch also featured a dedication to Journal Board member and "visionary" educator Luke Murtagh, who sadly passed away this year.
Luke was a passionate educator and academic. Our CEO Dearbháil Lawless read a piece from former CEO Dr Niamh O’Reilly, who worked closely with Luke over many years.
We also had a contribution from Dr Bríd Connolly from Maynooth University. Speaking about Luke, Bríd said: “People often use the phrase a gentleman and a scholar, but it really did apply to Luke. His PhD thesis was truly groundbreaking.”
Luke’s wife and son, Anne and Eamon Murtagh, joined us on the day. Eamon spoke briefly in remembrance of his dad, and said: “It is a credit to you that you invited us here today – because it really is a community.”
In a dedication to Luke in the journal itself, Professor Maria Slowey and Professor Anne Ryan write that “he made a national contribution to the transformation of the second level education system to become better equipped to prepare young people for the social and economic conditions in Ireland in the latter part of the 20th century.”
Our keynote speaker for the launch was Dr Audrey Bryan, Associate Professor of Sociology at Dublin City University, who spoke about the impact of the precarity of contracts and working conditions for staff and practitioners in adult and community education.
Audrey quoted Professor Kathleen Lynch and her work on the corrosive effect of neoliberalism and the skills agenda on education in Ireland. Audrey described how the focus on employability and productivity is “fundamentally at odds with the values of adult education” and expressed concern about teaching and learning “becoming depoliticised” in order to create a workforce that is “pliable” and “politically docile.”
The focus on skills and employment is one of many issues on which we have been advocating for change with the Government, and was included in our election manifesto.
We’ll continue campaigning for change on this with the new Government after the general election this week.
Our CEO Dearbháil affirmed Audrey’s comments, stating: “Education is political. It drives the work we do.”
Dr Bryan finished by describing the journal as a “compelling, well-researched, and invigorating publication”.
The launch was brought to a close by journal Board Member Dr Bernie Grummell, who detailed the call for articles for the 2025 edition of the journal.
The deadline for submission of articles is Friday 14 February 2025.
There are two workshops coming up for those who might be interested in writing an article. Find out more here.