Transformative journeys beyond schooling: Storytelling and poetic inquiry as catalysts for adult learning in community spaces

Authors: Trace Ollis & Vicky Duckworth
Deakin University, Australia & Edge Hill University, UK

Edition: Volume 65, Number 3, Special Edition, November 2025

Introduction: In this paper, we combine our use of storytelling and poetic inquiry in education to illuminate adult learners’ experiences of transformation in Further Education. As both teachers and social justice researchers exploring adult learning, we are drawn to using storytelling, combined with encouraging writing poetic forms of representation to creatively express the subtleties, nuances and diversity of adult learners’ lives. We draw on two bodies of research across oceans: Vicky’s research on Further Education (FE) in the United Kingdom and Tracey’s research on Adult Community Education in Australia (ACE). This research is grounded in the experiences of adult learners in community settings.

Keywords: adult learning, poetic enquiry, storytelling, creative arts education, Bourdieu, learner transformation

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This article is part of AJAL, Volume 65:3 The entire volume is available in .pdf for purchase here.