Knowledge Production at the Cutting Edge?: A Content Analysis of AERC Papers from 1995-2005

Adult Education Research Conference presentations are analyzed from 1995 through 2005 for content and authorship gender. This analysis compares findings from this time period with findings from the 1970’s and the late 1980’s. Introduction Recognizing the direction and evolution of research in any discipline is a central factor in defining that field. Research and subsequent learnings demonstrate priorities, growth, plausibility, and accountability within each discipline. The Adult Education Research Conference is considered to be on the “cutting edge” of knowledge production .This conference reflects the leadership and attitude within adult education (“About the AERC”, n.d., para. 1). While some work has been done on reviewing the contents of adult education journals, handbooks and select topics within the field, (e.g. Hall, 1993; Hayes, 1992; Ng, 2003; Pipke, 1984; Sissel, 1993; Taylor, 1993; Wilson, 1992) there has been no attempt to systematically analyze presentation topics within the Adult Education Research Conference since Long (1983). The purpose of this paper is to analyze how theoretical perspectives and subject matter have evolved over the last 11 years. It is an account of how adult education is developing as a field. In doing so, the review asks the following questions: What topics have been prevalent during this time period? Has there been a significant shift in the foci? Following up on Cunningham’s concerns, is the AERC allowing marginalized voices to be heard (2001, p. xi)?