Lifelong learning in European universities (1999-2000)

Type of project/activity:
Comparative research project undertaken by a consortium of researchers.

Objectives:
The objective of this two-year project was to investigate how European universities are responding to the concept of lifelong learning and to analyse the structural and functional implications which the application of the concept entails for universities in the "information society". The study also investigated policy and practice of universities in this area.

Partners:
This research project was undertaken by a consortium of seven partner institutions, co-ordinated by the Centre for Social Morphology and Social policy (KEKMOKOP) of the Panteion University for Social and Political Sciences (Athens). The partners were: Nikos Kokosalakis, KEKMOKOP, Athens, Jean-Pierre Jallade, European Institute of Education and Social Policy (EIESP), Paris, Dr. Barbara Kehm, Martin Luther Universität (Wittemberg), José-Ginés Mora, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Economicas, Valencia, Ellen Brandt, Norwegian Institute for Studies in Research and Higher Education, Maurice Kogan, Brunel University and Berit Askling, Göteborg University.

Main activities:
Preparation of a literature survey in the seven countries included in the project;

Preparation of a common framework using conceptual and empirical procedures to identify and analyse the extent and nature of the present involvement of universities in lifelong learning;

Empirical examination of lifelong learning policy and practice in a sample of 28 universities (four in each country);

Thematic analysis of three transversal issues related to the impact of lifelong learning on (i) the structure of knowledge, (ii) the internal organisation and power structure of universities and (iii) the relationships between international lifelong learning policy statements and university practice;

Drafting of country and thematic reports.

Name of programme, funder or client: This project was co-financed by the DG Science, Research and Development of the European Commission under the Targeted Socio-Economic Research (TSER) Programme. Project number:ERB-SOE1-CT98-2043

Outcomes, reports/documents:
EU Socio-Economic Research, Lifelong Learning: The implications for universities in the EU Project report published by the European commission, April 2001.Further information can be obtained from akokosa@panteion.gr.

The results of this project were published in English in two special editions of the European Journal of Education, namely:
Volume 35/3, September 2000, Lifelong Learning in European Universities: A preliminary assessment, and;
Volume 36/3, September 2001, Lifelong Learning in European Universities: Institutional responses.

Some results of this project will be published in French in a special edition of:
Politiques d'Education et de Formation. Analyses et Comparaisons Internationales, January 2002.

For more information, please contact Jean-Pierre Jallade jallade@dauphine.fr