Looking backwards and forwards: Beyond nostalgia and re-imagining in/visible adult education
30th October 2026, 10am to 12.30pm
The research circle on Fostering and building community, democracy and dialogue first met in September 2020. It grew out of the work of the Centenary Commission on Adult Education and, in particular, the key chapter in the Centenary Commission on Adult Education’s 2019 report that focused on the importance of community-based and ‘popular’ adult education. In the last six years, the circle has engaged with diverse ideas- and sought to become a site of possibility by asking how adult education links with and fosters our democracy and resources of hope.
Our events in 2026 began by asking how we understand contemporary experiences and relate these to the histories, meanings and memories associated with ‘lost’ or re-imagined places and spaces of adult, residential and higher education.
Our final event of the year examines different forms of community development and possible spaces and places for different forms of adult education and lifelong learning.
We invite you to join us on October 30th as we listen to diverse experiences and learn from one another.
The event combines the following short 15 minute presentations and activities:
- Presentation from Dr Nick Mahony, in discussion with Dr Sharon Clancy, contrasting grassroots activism, highlighted in examples of contemporary work funded by the Raymond Williams Foundation in 2025 and 2026 and Cymni Bro in Wales, with current government policy including ‘Pride in Place’.
- Presentation from Professor Marjorie Mayo, in discussion with Professor John Diamond, who ask how we can learn from government programmes – in the past. They will explore competing perspectives and tensions and possibilities in the Community Development Project (1969-78), ‘Active Learning for Active Citizenship (2004-06) and ‘Take Part’ programme (2006-11)- and ask if and how these different projects made a difference.
- In the second part of the event, participants are invited to meet in small groups to re-imagine opportunities for community development informed by adult education and lifelong learning principles and approaches.
- Finally, in the whole group discussion, we share ideas, suggestions and resources for what next.