A Conversation with Sharan Merriam: Globalization and Adult Education

• Main Authors: Mary Gene Saudelli, Dolana Mogadime, Nancy Taber
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brock University 2013-07-01
• Series: Brock Education: a Journal of Educational Research and Practice
• Online Access: http://brock.scholarsportal.info/journals/brocked/home/article/view/346

On September 22, 2011, Sharan Merriam visited Brock University to give a Distinguished Speaker Lecture entitled "Globalization: Challenges and Opportunities for Adult Education." Based on her research about the future of adult education within a global context, Merriam’s lecture sets the tone for this special issue on the impact of globalization for adult education and higher education. Merriam (2010) unpacked the phenomenon of globalization, connected it to the knowledge economy, and situated it within a contemporary, political, social, cultural, and educational context. Merriam (2010) highlighted the need for consideration of the trends and trajectories in adult education related to globalization as "adult education does not occur in a vacuum" (p. 408). She emphasized the need to consider research on lifelong learning that has been impacted by global education. Merriam’s work further highlighted the need for the sharing of knowledge among international educators in a global context.