I have a long-standing background of interest and involvement in lifelong learning. Recent publications include edited collections on Mental Capital and Wellbeing and Researching Transitions in Lifelong Learning. I have just completed a new book on British work camp systems before 1939, which is being published in 2013 by Manchester University Press, and am editor of the new Sage Handbook on Aging, Work & Society (also due in 2013). Externally, I serve as a Visiting Professor of Birkbeck College, University of London. I currently chair the Advisory Board for the ESRC Research Centre on Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge Economies and Societies (LLAKES), University of London. I served as a commissioner of theNational Commission of Inquiry on the Future of Lifelong Learning. A summary of the commission's findings can be read here. Co-Director of the Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning.Media Coverage Work camps that tackled Depression How 1930s work camps operatedDoctoral Supervisory Interests Lifelong learning policies Participation in adult learning History of education and training Comparative study of adult learning
Exporting "people of British stock": training and emigration policy in inter-war Britain. 40th Annual SCUTREA Conference
Researching Retention and Non-Traditional Learners: evidence on pre-entry preparation. Hitting the ground running: reflections on pre-entry student support and new students’ academic preparedness for higher education
Glasgow Caledonian University
http://www.gcu.ac.uk/newsroom/events/article.php?id=7884
The School of Health at Glasgow Caledonian University will hold a one-day national symposium on the themes of pre-entry support and academic preparedness for higher education. The event will provide colleagues in all disciplines the opportunity to discuss and share practice in this important and expanding area of student support. The twin effects of UK demographic change and the move towards widening participation have made it necessary for HEIs to adjust to an increasingly diverse student intake. Students now enter higher education from a wide variety of backgrounds with differing expectations of university life and varying levels of preparedness for the academic challenges awaiting them. This event aims to discuss what institutions and staff can do to help prepare students to meet these challenges, both before and immediately after entry.
Studenthood and identification: higher education as a liminal transitional space. 40th Annual SCUTREA Conference
Reflecting From the Front Line: Research on Lifelong Learning and Policies for Well-Being. 39th Annual SCUTREA conference
National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
My research interests encompass the social and economic contexts of adult learning, policy in lifelong learning, and the history of adult education and training. Together with Professor Gert Biesta, I co-directed the Learning Lives project (www.learninglives.org), which led to a co-authored book and many articles. The project examined the meaning and significance of formal and informal learning in the lives of adults, and was funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of its Teaching and Learning Research Programme. Theoretically, it was concerned with the interplay of learning with structure, agency, identity and change over the life course. I am also involved in a transnational study of Access and Retention: Experiences of non-traditional learners in higher education (http://www.ranlhe.dsw.edu.pl/). Our research looked at how non-traditional students in higher education experience the processes of learning, how they perceive themselves as learners and how their identity as learners develops. It involved case studies in seven European countries, and is funded by the European Commission. It is now being written up for publication.
Labour colonies and work camps in Britain, 1880-1939
PI: Professor John Field
Funded by: The Carnegie Trust
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RANLHE
PI: Professor John Field
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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The Learning Life -short Film
PI: Professor John Field
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Learning, Identity & Agency in the Life-course
PI: Professor John Field
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Identity, agency, adult learning and experiences of work
PI: Professor John Field
Funded by: The Carnegie Trust
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Book Chapter
Field J, Kunzel K & Schemmann M (2019) Revisiting the Debate on International Comparative Adult Education Research: Theoretical and Methodological Reflections. In: Fejes A & Nylander E (eds.) Mapping out the Research Field of Adult Education and Learning. Lifelong Learning Book Series, 24. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, pp. 181-202. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10946-2_10
Article
Field J & Schemmann M (2017) International organisations and the construction of the learning active citizen: An analysis of adult learning policy documents from a Durkheimian perspective. International Journal of Lifelong Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2017.1287920
Book Chapter
Lifelong learning and employers: reskilling older workers
Field J & Canning R (2014) Lifelong learning and employers: reskilling older workers. In: Harper S, Hamblin K, Hoffman J, Howse K & Leeson G (eds.) International Handbook on Ageing and Public Policy. Handbooks of Research on Public Policy series. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 463-473. http://www.e-elgar.com/Bookentry_Main.lasso?currency=US&id=14437
Newspaper Article
Why you won’t see Gove-style proposals on curbing school extremism in Scotland
Field J (2014) Why you won’t see Gove-style proposals on curbing school extremism in Scotland. The Conversation. 27.06.2014. https://theconversation.com/why-you-wont-see-gove-style-proposals-on-curbing-school-extremism-in-scotland-28526
Newspaper Article
Scotland the brainy: why are there so many graduates in Edinburgh and Glasgow?
Field J (2014) Scotland the brainy: why are there so many graduates in Edinburgh and Glasgow?. The Conversation. 26.03.2014. https://theconversation.com/scotland-the-brainy-why-are-there-so-many-graduates-in-edinburgh-and-glasgow-24685
Book Chapter
Investing in labour force and skills development
Field J (2013) Investing in labour force and skills development. In: Saridakis G & Cooper C (eds.) How can HR drive growth?. New Horizons in Management. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 100-117. http://www.e-elgar.co.uk/bookentry_main.lasso?id=14790
Book Chapter
Field J (2013) The importance of learning. In: Sherwood C & Faulkner J (eds.) Reflections on ageing: The role of relationships in later life. Doncaster: Relate, pp. 39-43. http://www.relate.org.uk/userfiles/documents/Publication-ageing-essays-2013.pdf
Authored Book
Working Men's Bodies: work camps in Britain, 1880-1940
Field J (2013) Working Men's Bodies: work camps in Britain, 1880-1940. Manchester: Manchester University Press. http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/cgi-bin/indexer?product=9780719087684
Edited Book
The SAGE Handbook of Aging, Work and Society
Field J, Burke R & Cooper CL (eds.) (2013) The SAGE Handbook of Aging, Work and Society. London: Sage. http://www.uk.sagepub.com/booksProdDesc.nav?prodId=Book237162&utm_source=Book&utm_medium=email&utm_content=237162&utm_campaign=PERSONL&priorityCode=PERSONL
Book Chapter
Field J (2013) Migration and workforce aging. In: Field J, Burke R & Cooper C (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Aging, Work and Society. London: Sage, pp. 75-93. http://www.uk.sagepub.com/books/Book237162?subject=F00&sortBy=defaultPubDate%20desc&fs=1
Article
Reappraising the importance of class in higher education entry and persistence
Field J & Morgan-Klein N (2013) Reappraising the importance of class in higher education entry and persistence. Studies in the Education of Adults, 45 (2), pp. 162-176. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/niace/stea/2013/00000045/00000002/art00005
Article
Field J (2013) Learning through the ages? Generational inequalities and inter-generational dynamics of lifelong learning. British Journal of Educational Studies, 61 (1), pp. 109-119. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2012.756172
Book Chapter
Is lifelong learning making a difference? Research-based evidence on the impact of adult learning
Field J (2012) Is lifelong learning making a difference? Research-based evidence on the impact of adult learning. In: Aspin D, Chapman J, Evans K & Bagnall R (eds.) Second International Handbook of Lifelong Learning. Springer International Handbooks of Education, 26. Dordrecth: Springer, pp. 887-898. http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-94-007-2360-3/page/1
Article
Service learning in Britain between the Wars: university students and unemployed camps
Field J (2012) Service learning in Britain between the Wars: university students and unemployed camps. History of Education, 41 (2), pp. 195-212. https://doi.org/10.1080/0046760X.2011.582047
Book Chapter
The Importance of Social Support Structures for Retention and Success
Field J & Morgan-Klein N (2012) The Importance of Social Support Structures for Retention and Success. In: Hinton-Smith & T (eds.) Widening Participation in Higher Education: Casting the net wide?. Issues in Higher Education. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 178-192. http://www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=508578
Article
Transitions in lifelong learning: public issues, private troubles, liminal identities
Field J (2012) Transitions in lifelong learning: public issues, private troubles, liminal identities. Studies for the Learning Society, 2 (2-3), pp. 4-11. http://versita.metapress.com/content/y1031w26u93v003r/?p=d1e384e18f574ef7bde1d449e2fdb9a9π=1; https://doi.org/10.2478/v10240-012-0001-6
Article
An Anti-Urban Education? Work camps and ideals of the land in Interwar Britain
Field J (2012) An Anti-Urban Education? Work camps and ideals of the land in Interwar Britain. Rural History, 23 (2), pp. 213-228. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0956793312000088
Article
Field J, Merrill B & West L (2012) Life history approaches to access and retention of nontraditional students in higher education: A cross-European approach. RELA: European Journal for Research on the Education and Learning of Adults, 3 (1), pp. 77-89. https://doi.org/10.3384/rela.2000-7426.rela0062
Edited Book
Remaking Adult Learning: Essays in honour of Alan Tuckett
Derrick J, Howard U, Field J, Lavender P, Meyer S, Nuissl von Rein E & Schuller T (eds.) (2011) Remaking Adult Learning: Essays in honour of Alan Tuckett. London: Institute of Education Press. http://www.ioe.ac.uk/about/48777.html
Article
Adult learning, health and well-being – changing lives
Field J (2011) Adult learning, health and well-being – changing lives. Adult Learner, pp. 13-25. http://www.aontas.com/download/pdf/adult_learner_2011.pdf
Book Chapter
Field J (2011) Biography and generation. In: Herzberg H & Kammler E (eds.) Biographie und Gesellschaft. Überlegungen zu einer Theorie des modernen Selbst. Frankfurt: Campus Verlag, pp. 379-396. http://www.campus.de/wissenschaft/kulturwissenschaften/Kultursoziologie%2F+Cultural+Studies.40450.html/Biographie+und+Gesellschaft.98144.html
Book Chapter
Soziale Netzwerke und Übergänge im Lernen
Field J (2011) Soziale Netzwerke und Übergänge im Lernen. In: Vater S, Kellner W & Jütte W (eds.) Erwachsenenbildung und Sozialkapital. Studies in Lifelong Learning, 4. Vienna: Lit Verlag, pp. 33-49. http://www.litwebshop.de/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=7114
Book Chapter
Learning in Working Life: Identity and Workplace Learning
Field J (2011) Learning in Working Life: Identity and Workplace Learning. In: Catts R, Falk I & Wallace R (eds.) Vocational learning: innovative theory and practice. Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, 13. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 229-242. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-1539-4_15
Book Chapter
Lifelong learning, welfare and mental well-being into older age: trends and policies in Europe
Field J (2011) Lifelong learning, welfare and mental well-being into older age: trends and policies in Europe. In: Boulton-Lewis G & Tam M (eds.) Active ageing, active learning: Issues and challenges. Education in the Asia-Pacific Region: Issues, Concerns and Prospects, 15. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 11-20. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-2111-1_2
Article
Researching the benefits of learning: the persuasive power of longitudinal studies
Field J (2011) Researching the benefits of learning: the persuasive power of longitudinal studies. London Review of Education, 9 (3), pp. 283-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/14748460.2011.616320
Book Chapter
Learning in emotional labour and emotion work
Field J & Malcolm I (2010) Learning in emotional labour and emotion work. In: Cooper L & Walters S (eds.) Learning/Work: Turning work and learning inside out. Cape Town: Human Sciences Research Council Press, pp. 169-181. https://www.hsrcpress.ac.za/books/learning-work
Book Chapter
Seriously useless learning? Potential and limits of recent research on the benefits of learning
Field J (2010) Seriously useless learning? Potential and limits of recent research on the benefits of learning. In: Derrick J J, Howard U, Field J, Lavender P, Meyer S, Nuissl vRE & Schuller T (eds.) Remaking adult learning: Essays on Adult Education in Honour of Alan Tuckett. London: Institute of Education Press and NIACE, pp. 220-229. http://www.ioe.ac.uk/about/48777.html
Book Chapter
Models of provision of lifelong learning: how is it done around the world?
Field J (2010) Models of provision of lifelong learning: how is it done around the world?. In: Cooper C, Field J, Goswami U, Jenkins R & Sahakhian B (eds.) Mental capital and wellbeing. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, pp. 383-388. http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-144430772X.html
Book Chapter
Field J (2010) Lifelong learning. In: Peterson P, Baker E & McGaw B (eds.) International Encyclopedia of Education. 3rd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 89-95. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080448947000166
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Researching Retention and Non-Traditional Learners: evidence on pre-entry preparation
Field J & Morgan-Klein N (2010) Researching Retention and Non-Traditional Learners: evidence on pre-entry preparation. Hitting the ground running: reflections on pre-entry student support and new students’ academic preparedness for higher education, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK, 04.06.2010-04.06.2010. http://www.gcu.ac.uk
Conference Proceeding
Studenthood and identification: higher education as a liminal transitional space
Field J & Morgan-Klein N (2010) Studenthood and identification: higher education as a liminal transitional space. In: Merrill B & Armstrong P (eds.) SCUTREA: Proceedings of the 40th Annual Conference. 40th Annual SCUTREA Conference, University of Warwick, UK, 06.07.2010-08.07.2010. Warick, UK: University of Warwick. http://www.scutrea.ac.uk/index.html
Conference Proceeding
Exporting "people of British stock": training and emigration policy in inter-war Britain
Field J (2010) Exporting "people of British stock": training and emigration policy in inter-war Britain. In: Education-line database. 40th Annual SCUTREA Conference, University of Warwick, UK, 06.07.2010-08.07.2010. Leeds: University of Leeds. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/bei/COLN/COLN_default.html
Article
Biesta GJJ, Field J & Tedder M (2010) A time for learning: Representations of time and the temporal dimensions of learning through the lifecourse. Zeitschrift fur Padagogik, 56 (3), pp. 317-327. http://www.beltz.de/de/nc/paedagogik/zeitschriften/zeitschrift-fuer-paedagogik.html
Edited Book
Researching Transitions in Lifelong Learning
Field J, Gallacher J & Ingram R (eds.) (2009) Researching Transitions in Lifelong Learning. London: Routledge. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415495998/
Research Report
Field J (2009) Well-being and happiness. National Institute for Adult Continuing Education (England and Wales) Inquiry into the Future for Lifelong Learning Thematic Papers, 4. National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. http://www.niace.org.uk/lifelonglearninginquiry/docs/IFLL-wellbeing.pdf
Book Chapter
Lifelong Learning and community
Field J (2009) Lifelong Learning and community. In: Jarvis P (ed.) The Routledge International Handbook of Lifelong Learning. Routledge International Handbooks of Education. London: Routledge, pp. 153-162. http://www.routledge.com/books/The-Routledge-International-Handbook-of-Lifelong-Learning-isbn9780415419048
Book Chapter
Conclusion - researching transitions: trends and future prospects
Field J, Ingram R & Gallacher J (2009) Conclusion - researching transitions: trends and future prospects. In: Field J, Ingram R & Gallacher J (eds.) Researching Transitions in Lifelong Learning. London: Routledge, pp. 225-227. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415495998/
Article
Lifelong learning in Scotland: cohesion, equity and participation
Field J (2009) Lifelong learning in Scotland: cohesion, equity and participation. Scottish Educational Review, 41 (2), pp. 4-19. http://www.scotedreview.org.uk/view_issue.php?id=41[2]
Conference Proceeding
Reflecting From the Front Line: Research on Lifelong Learning and Policies for Well-Being
Field J (2009) Reflecting From the Front Line: Research on Lifelong Learning and Policies for Well-Being. In: Education-line Database. 39th Annual SCUTREA conference, University of Cambridge, UK, 07.07.2009-09.07.2009. Leeds: University of Leeds. http://www.leeds.ac.uk/bei/COLN/COLN_default.html
Book Chapter
Learning Transitions: Research, policy, practice
Ingram R, Field J & Gallacher J (2009) Learning Transitions: Research, policy, practice. In: Ingram R, Field J & Gallacher J (eds.) Researching Transitions in Lifelong Learning. Abingdon, UK: Routledge (of Taylor and Francis), pp. 1-6. http://www.routledge.com/books/Researching-Transitions-in-Lifelong-Learning-isbn9780415495998
Article
Good for your soul? Adult learning and mental well-being
Field J (2009) Good for your soul? Adult learning and mental well-being. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 28 (2), pp. 175-191. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370902757034
Authored Book
Field J (2008) Social Capital. 2nd ed. Key Ideas. London and New York: Routledge. http://www.routledge.com/shopping_cart/products/product_detail.asp?sku=&isbn=9780415433037
Article
Partnerships in and for lifelong learning
Field J (2008) Partnerships in and for lifelong learning. Lifelong Learning in Europe, xiii (1), pp. 40-45.
Article
Beddington J, Cooper CL, Field J, Goswami U, Huppert FA, Jenkins R, Jones HS, Kirkwood TBL, Sahakian BJ & Thomas SM (2008) The mental wealth of nations. Nature, 455 (7216), pp. 1057-1060. https://doi.org/10.1038/4551057a
Article
Sozialkapital und Erwachsenenbildung
Field J (2008) Sozialkapital und Erwachsenenbildung. Die Osterreichische Volkshochschule, 229, pp. 2-5. http://www.adulteducation.at/en/literatur/zeitschriftenartikel/103237/
Book Chapter
Malcolm I & Field J (2007) Talking about my learning generation: The role of historical time and generational time over the life course. In: Osborne M, Houston M & Toman N (eds.) The Pedagogy of Lifelong Learning: Understanding effective teaching and learning in diverse contexts. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 67-78. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415424950/