Chapter Changing Conceptions of Social Purpose Higher Education: The Legacy of University Adult Education

Abstract

Lalage Bown was an inspirational adult educator who worked tirelessly to bring university education to people of all ages and sectors of society. For her, this was not a one-way process of ‘knowledge transmission’ but rather a partnership to the mutual benefit of both higher education and society at large. In this chapter I illustrate one university’s engagement with its wider community though a social-historical account of the emergence of Glasgow University’s Department of Adult and Continuing Education – from which Lalage Bown retired as Director in 1992.The chapter then explores different interpretations of ‘university adult education’ in Britain and the wider European context – both conceptually and in practical terms. Finally, the question is posed as to whether the time may have passed for the values and ideals espoused by this tradition? Or whether, alternatively, they are interpreted anew through, for example, universities’ commitments to widening access, social responsibility, the Sustainable Development Goals and other forms of outreach and civic engagement?