Adult and Further Education Congress: New Horizons

Interested in research? Have a research idea you want to develop? This Congress will offer you an opportunity to share your experience as a practitioner and to get involved in research activities in AFE. 

The Congress approach is participatory and delegate-driven. The format we have chosen positions each delegate as an active contributor and meaning-maker. The ethos of the Congress is rooted in a desire to cast a critical light on top-down policy-making. We are seeking to achieve an inclusive, participatory model of discussion by capturing the diverse voices and interests in Adult and Further Education (AFE). AFE teachers, managers and students have endured more than a quarter century of policy churn, constrained funding and instability. The Congress provides a space to meet and share practices, ideas and experiences and look for ways forward.

 The Congress is not organised like a conference. The focus is on active involvement as you share experiences and discuss a theme that is important in Adult and Further Education. You are invited to join a strand related to your chosen theme that over the coming year will evolve into your active involvement in collaborative research.

i) Intensification of work, the Pastoral Needs Crisis & Mental Health.

This strand will focus on a perceived intensification of the work undertaken by adult and further education staff in the past decade and a half. The impact of the austerity measures of the Coalition Government (2010-15) imposed significant budget cuts across many public services and led to an increased volume of student pastoral needs. In addition, amongst the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in needs associated with the mental health and well-being of students is also placing additional demands on adult and further education staff.

We will focus on current experiences and talk about the cultures and practices that make it possible to continue to work effectively and safely in the current difficult circumstances. The afternoon session will focus on the future to explore what changes are needed and to support delegates to undertake research that can highlight issues and share insights that can benefit practitioners and influence policy.

ii) Climate Action and Green Research in AFE

“The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed” William Gibson

Building on work from last year’s Congress, this workshop brings us up to date with significant shifts around climate action work in AFE.

Together, we’ll think about what ‘green research’ means and what impact it can have, and how the ‘green confetti’ of individual sustainability projects can bring energy to whole-sector systems and mindset change approaches.

We’ll continue to think together about what we can do, what we can do together and what do we need to support us in our work. 

iii) Policy and a socially just curriculum.

For decades, vocational education policies have focused decades on qualifications reform: a constant upheaval whilst school subjects hardly alter. These changes rarely address in depth the question of how the curriculum can make a real difference to the life chances of students entering further education. What forms of knowledge can connect to their lives, experiences and understandings, and what forms will help them lead enriched lives? What forms of skill have value and potential for their futures, and which are meaningless? What else is needed to prepare improve learners lives over time? How can teachers' practice best combat these inequalities?  

iv) Quality, teaching and learning and Initial Teacher Education.

This strand delves into the critical aspects of teaching, professional development, and teacher education within the Adult & Further Education sector. Morning discussions will explore how educators are navigating current sector challenges, including funding pressures, shifting policy landscapes, and the evolving needs of diverse adult learners. These sessions will examine how colleagues respond to such complexities while sustaining high-quality teaching, strengthening engagement, and driving meaningful learner outcomes.

Afternoon sessions will look ahead, focusing on innovative, research-informed approaches to Professional Learning and Initial Teacher Education (ITE). Participants will consider strategies for empowering educators to thrive within an ever-evolving landscape, examining areas such as resilience-building, inclusive pedagogies, and the development of collaborative professional communities. The emphasis throughout is on approaches grounded in evidence, inquiry, and practice-based research.

This strand offers a space to share insights, examine emerging themes, and shape future directions for teaching and learning in Adult & Further Education learning environments. Crucially, the conversations and research emerging from these sessions will extend beyond the walls of the congress, informing ongoing enquiry, influencing institutional practice, and supporting sustained professional growth across the sector. It is designed for teachers, trainers, managers, and anyone committed to advancing educational practice and educator agency in these dynamic fields.

v) Leadership and Governance in Adult and Further Education.

This strand explores critical perspectives on leadership and governance in Adult and Further Education during the continuing times of significant changes. Morning discussions will examine current challenges facing AFE leaders and governors, funding pressures, and evolving stakeholder demands, including the needs of our students and their future employers. Given the changes in the sector, we would like to explore any emerging synergies in order to reimagine AFE, including efforts to formulate partnerships with the HE sector. The strand would also like to follow-up on any developmental work/research done in leadership and governance since the 2025 Congress. The afternoon session will focus on developing forward-thinking approaches to leadership and governance, identifying strategies for positive change, and building networks for ongoing collaboration over the following 12 months. Join us to share experiences, challenge traditional models, and help shape the future of leadership and governance in the AFE sector. This strand welcomes leaders, governors, practitioners, students and anyone interested in AFE leadership development.