Community Education and Neoliberalism : Philosophies, Practices and Policies / by Camilla Fitzsimons.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Fitzsimons, Camilla, Author.

Series:

Education Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Continuing education.

Education and state.

School management and organization.

Education--Curricula.

Education.

Lifelong Learning.

Educational Policy and Politics.

Organization and Leadership.

Curriculum Studies.

Education Policy.

Local Subjects:

Lifelong Learning.

Educational Policy and Politics.

Organization and Leadership.

Curriculum Studies.

Education Policy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (XIII, 177 p. 3 illus.)

Edition:

2nd ed. 2026.

Place of Publication:

Cham : Springer Nature Switzerland : Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan, 2026.

Summary:

This open access book, now in its second edition, offers a powerful analysis of adult and community education at a time of rising inequality and diminishing state support. Grounded in both Irish and international contexts, this edition again challenges the impact of neoliberal agendas on grassroots community education and makes a convincing case for reclaiming community education’s radical, consciousness-raising agenda. The book is theoretically rooted in critical feminist pedagogy and draws on real-world examples to present key aspects of this approach to adult learning in a clear, accessible, and practical way. Community Education and Neoliberalism exposes the extent to which market-driven forces and managerialist agendas are eroding the transformative nature of adult and community education. The author examines the impact of neoliberal government lifelong learning policies, the potential drawbacks of professionalising community education and the perils of accreditation systems when marketisation becomes the principal focus. But this book does not simply offer a critique — it also presents practical pathways to revitalise community education, ensuring it continues to be a part of the struggle for a better world which, the author argues, can only be achieved through collective action. The book is essential reading and a call to action for students, educators, activists and policymakers alike, or indeed or anyone who is passionate about equality and social justice. Camilla Fitzsimons works in the Department of Adult and Community Education at Maynooth University, Ireland. She is a former nurse turned activist academic who specialises in critical pedagogy and feminist activism, especially how they manifest in community education and social movement spaces. She is the author of several books on critical education and feminist studies.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Community Education in Neoliberal times

Chapter 2: Approaches to Community Education

Chapter 3: Philosophies of adult education: a pathway to critical pedagogy

Chapter 4: Community Education, lifelong learning, and Employability

Chapter 5: Community education and professionalism

Chapter 6: Community Education and Accreditation

Chapter 7: Re-kindling Community Education in Neoliberal times.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

3-032-03743-3

9783032037435