Ready to submit? Start a new submission or continue a submission in progress

Go to submission site (link opens in a new window)

Journal overview

Studies in the Education of Adults is a scholarly refereed journal that theorises and critically examines the education of adults as well as engages with international debates and national issues. It is also equally focused on lifelong-learning, adult learning, the nature of adult curriculum and on the role of the educator. The journal welcomes papers that explore the development of adult education and learning in a range of contexts including institutional, professional and community settings, for example colleges, universities, the workplace, prisons, trade unions and voluntary organisations as well as the home, public spaces, through leisure and arts activities, social movements, and digital media. It also promotes the role of adult learning and education in social justice.

The Editorial Board encourage researchers, professionals and practitioners from a broad range of ideological interests, theoretical positions and research traditions and we especially welcome multidisciplinary research. We will promote the thematic exploration of specific areas as well as the exploration of new territories for adult education. Papers are selected for publication that:

• Provide a clear theoretical and methodological rationale for the work discussed;
• Demonstrate familiarity with adult education literature and research;
• Engage in policy and practice critiques where appropriate;
• Concentrate on analysis, as opposed to purely descriptive accounts;
• Contextualise the writing so that it is understandable by an international readership;
• Use an accessible styling of writing, concentrating on clarity and avoiding unexplained jargon;
• Recognise the professional and academic experience of the journal’s readership.

All submitted manuscripts are subject to initial appraisal by the Editors and, if found suitable for further consideration, are peer reviewed by independent, anonymous expert referees.

For more information on submitting your paper, please refer to the Instructions for Authors.

Special Issue Proposals

Readers interested in developing a themed issue are encouraged to submit outline proposals for consideration to the editors. Upon request, those interested may email Nalita James and Virginie Thériault for full guest editor guidelines.

Book Reviews

We will consider books for review that meet the following criteria:

• Books must have a publication date within the past 12 months.

• Books must have a demonstrable relevance to the journal’s audience, and aims and scope.

• Only academic research and relevant textbooks books will be considered.

If you would have received a review copy from a publisher and would like to write a review of the book for Studies in the Education of Adults, please contact the reviews editor with the following information:

• Details of the book you would like to review

• A brief statement to explain the book’s relevance to the aims and scope of the journal

• A statement of your suitability as a reviewer and a declaration of any conflict of interest

Journal Blog:

This focus on social change underpins the ambition of the special issue to provide a space for adult educator practitioners, theorists and activist-researchers to share community activist practices from around the world and provide insight into the ways these have contributed to social change and political transformation in different spaces and communities. And in an effort to encourage that ambition and to promote a range of texts and voices, we have included papers drawing on empirical research as well as stories and blogs about social change and transformation from those participating in community activist struggles.

In this issue we include a series of blogs too. These serve a dual purpose. By widening, and extending, the voices of those who speak, we share these examples not only to celebrate examples of practice- but to inspire action in the future. 

Peer Review Policy:

All research articles in this journal have undergone rigorous peer review, based on initial editor screening and anonymized refereeing by at least two anonymous referees from the journal’s international Editorial Board.

Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.

Read the Instructions for Authors for information on how to submit your article.

Read full aims and scope

Latest issues

Advertise in this journal

Reach an engaged target audience and position your brand alongside authoritative peer-reviewed research by advertising in Studies in the Education of Adults.

Explore advertising options