AONTAS

How do Learner Voice mechanisms contribute to democratic learning?

This was the question explored by a panel organised by our Head of Research, Thomas Murray, and our Research Officer, Philip Finn, at the Fourth International Conference of Scuola Democratica at Sapienza Università di Roma.

"The seminar provided a rare opportunity to step back from data collection to think about and discuss critical questions for the practice and research of Learner Voice," says Philip.

Read Philip's reflections on the conference and the research shared ➡️ https://www.aontas.com/sharing-learner-voice-research-at-the-fourth-international-scuola-democratica-conference/

The Further Education cuts in Northern Ireland reduce access to essential adult and community education programmes that learners depend on.

Read our full statement ➡️ https://www.aontas.com/aontas-statement-on-further-education-funding-cuts-in-northern-ireland/

Our CEO Dearbháil Lawless, a member of the European Association for the Education of Adults - EAEA Executive Board, participated in a two-day Board meeting in Dublin this week.

The agenda included meetings with members, National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), Department of Adult & community Education - Maynooth University, and Galway City Partnership.

We also met with the EU Presidency Unit in Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation & Science to provide recommendations on the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework, including Erasmus+, and to discuss priorities for adult learning at European level.

Thank you to EAEA for bringing the Board together in Dublin, and to our members for their valuable contributions.

Learn more about our advocacy work at EU level ➡️ https://www.aontas.com/advocacy/eu-projects/

📚 Adult Learner Journal Launch 2026

This year, the AONTAS Adult Learner Journal will launch at our Adult Education Summit 2026. 🎉

Exploring Power and Participation, this latest edition highlights how adult and community education fosters personal growth, strengthens communities and creates space for collective action. 🤝

Join us on Day 2 with authors from Ireland’s leading peer-reviewed adult and community education publication.

🎟️ Tickets: https://lnkd.in/eiUXHEvd

The Community Education Network came together last week to explore our organisations’ training needs at the launch of the Training Links Programme. 🤝

Run by The Wheel, the programme supports community and voluntary organisations to train and learn together. Training Links is funded from the National Training Fund (NTF) through Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation & Science

Inspiring learners Evelyn Mason of Cork Simon Community and John Kenny of Matt Talbot Community Trust, shared their personal learning journeys, which highlighted the transformative power of community education and the importance of investment 📚

Find out more about our Community Education Network here: https://www.aontas.com/adult-learning/community-education/

Which category does your project fit into for the STAR Awards 2027?

The nomination round is now open! 🎉

With six categories to choose from, our Membership and Digital Engagement Officer, Brian Desmond, is highlighting some of the projects previously nominated in the Social Inclusion category this week. 💡

Take an in-depth look at the category and get some inspiration for your own nomination here: https://www.aontas.com/the-people-behind-the-star-awards-social-inclusion/

📣 Learner Voices Across Ireland Report 2026 Launch

Day 1 of the AONTAS Adult Education Summit 2026 will see the launch of our latest Learner Voices Across Ireland report. 📚

The annual publication captures the experiences of Further Education and Training learners across the island of Ireland. 🗣️

Our research team will share the key findings from this year’s report on Day 1.

🎟️ Get your tickets: https://www.aontas.com/summit2026/

📣 Have your say on the future of FET learner voice!

AONTAS is hosting two online webinars to share updates on the new national FET learner survey and hear your feedback and ideas.

The new survey will capture the views and experiences of FET learners and provide an important evidence base for policy and improvement across the sector.

📅 7 October at 2pm
📅 9 October at 10am
💻 Online

Join us to learn more about the survey and how you can help shape it.

Register here: https://www.aontas.com/events/national-survey-information-webinar/