What’s the purpose of adult education and lifelong learning in the times of crises?

Adult education has traditionally focused on providing equal opportunities of education and learning for all, especially in the Nordic countries. Education has been considered as a public good, valuable in itself, a firm foundation for a democratic society and a source of opportunities for meaningful work. In today’s world we are facing multiple crises such as climate change, digital disruption/AI, disinformation, social polarization and involuntary migration. In these circumstances adult education and adult education research become more important than ever in addressing the aforementioned global challenges. Research based knowledge forms a solid basis for tackling these threats. Adult education and lifelong learning are crucial in educating citizens in facing these multiple challenges.

The Nordic Adult Education conference 2026 is calling for submissions.

When: 6–8 May 2026

Where: University of Turku, Turku, Finland

The Nordic Adult Education conference 2026 is a unique joint research conference bringing together Aikuiskasvatuksen tutkimuspäivät (AITU) and the Nordic conference on adult education and learning (NAEL).

AITU is a Finnish adult education conference organised by the Finnish Society for Research on Adult Education. NAEL is arranged by a loosely organised Nordic network of researchers interested in adult education and learning. AITU circulates between seven Finnish universities and NAEL between the five Nordic countries every two years.

The conference is meant to be a meeting place for presenting research within fields related to adult education and learning. The conference is aimed at both early career and senior researchers in the Nordic countries. Researchers from other parts of the world as well as adult education practitioners and policy makers are also most welcome to participate in the conference.

The Nordic Adult Education conference will be held in Turku, Finland at the University of Turku, and hosted by the Department of Education.

See the attached and the conference website for more details.