Doctoral school in adult learning

Considering the vast number of students enrolled in adult education in Sweden, the specifics of adult education and learning, and that teacher training should prepare for work in such contexts, the weak infrastructure regarding adult learning within teacher training programs is surprising.

The doctoral school will strengthen the scientific basis for teacher training by 1. providing knowledge on teachers’ didactic work within municipal adult education and folk high schools 2. providing teacher training programs with employees who holds such knowledge.

The school will consist of  9 doctoral students who partake in joint courses and workshops in order to develop knowledge in the field.

The school is organised by three main adult education research groups in Sweden – the largest group in Europe at Linköping University, the oldest in Sweden at Stockholm University, and the research group connected to the national centre for lifelong learning at Jönköping University.

Four international scientific experts as well as a group of four representatives from MAE and folk high schools are connected to the school.

Colleagues in each research group will, through the school and the students work, gain a widened knowledge on teachers’ didactic work in these settings.

The school will make important knowledge contributions to the already existing, but limited research in the area - as well as support teacher traing programs to live up to their assignment to educate teachers for adult education.