Introduction: politics, policy and the governance of adult learning and education

This chapter sets the boundaries of the handbook in terms of the definition of key concepts such as adult learning and education, policy, policy actors and contexts. It also discusses major policy and governance trends at transnational and global levels, and how these resonate with national and local adult education and policy. Attention is paid to the constellation of actors involved in policy work in adult learning and education policy. The chapter presents the critical approach generally followed in the book, confronting and investigating important policy challenges and developments, drawing on empirical research, and using and developing meaningful and conceptual and theoretical frameworks. In addition, the chapter introduces the structure of the book, and briefly summarizes the individual chapters.