Professor Maria Slowey
Biography
Professor Maria Slowey AcSS is Director of Higher Education Research Centre in the Office of the Vice-President Academic Affairs and Registrar. From 2004 to 2009, she was Registrar and Vice-President for Learning Innovation. She has held senior academic leadership and managerial positions in Ireland (DCU 2004 to present), Scotland (University of Glasgow 1992-2004), and England (University of Northumbria 1984-1992). Her career has particularly focused on research-led innovation in higher education, widening access, internationalisation and lifelong learning.
Educated in UCD and TCD, Maria’s research and policy interests draw on sociology, public policy and education to address issues of governance and management in higher education, patterns of participation in higher education, equality of opportunity and widening access to lifelong learning opportunities, comparative tertiary education policy, the participation of adults in education and training, and the role of the university in the community. She has written extensively on these issues and has acted as a consultant to a range of bodies internationally, including OECD, UNESCO, the EC, the Council of Europe, the European Training Foundation, the European Association for Education of Adults, the Swedish National Board for Higher Education, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, the US Advisory Council on Continuing Education.
Selected Publications
2017 |  | Comparative Adult Education: Authors and Texts edited by HERC Director Professor Maria Slowey, is now available to purchase directly from the University of Florence Press (only E16.90!) http://www.fupress.com/catalogo/comparative-adult-education-and-learning/3363 |
2016 |
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2012 |
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Global Perspectives on Higher Education and Lifelong Learners (ed with H.G.Schuetze) London and New York: Routledge. |
2005 |  | The Story of DACE (Department of Adult and Continuing Education: 1945-2005) (with R. Hamilton) Glasgow: University of Glasgow. |
2003 |  | Koutou-Kyouiku to Syougai-Gakushuu-Sha: Sono Henka ni kansuru Kakkoku no Joukyou (Japanese translation of Higher Education and Lifelong Learners) (ed.with H.G.Schuetze), Tokyo: Kenkyuu Koutou. |
2003 |  | Higher Education and the Lifecourse, (ed with D.Watson) Maidenhead: Society for Research into Higher Education/Open University Press. |
2000 |  | Higher Education and Lifelong Learners – International Perspectives on Change, (ed.with H.G.Schuetze), London: RoutledgeFalmer. |
1998 | Implementing Change within Universities and Colleges - Ten Personal Accounts, (ed) London: Kogan Page. | |
1994 | Adults in the Academy: International Trends in Adult and Higher Education, (with K. Abrahamsson, K. Rubenson), Stockholm: Swedish National Board of Education. | |
1988 | Choosing to Learn: A Study of Adults in Education, (with A. Woodley, L. Wagner, M. Hamilton, O. Fulton) Maidenhead: Society for Research into Higher Education/Open University Press: Buckingham. |
2019 | Professional Development and Training for Academic Leadership: Between Managerialism and Collegiality. Nagoya Journal of Higher Education (19), 235-263. DOI: http://doi.org/10.18999/njhe.19.235 | |
2018 |  | Living longer, learning longer – working longer? Implications for new workforce dynamics (with T. Zubrzycki). Dublin: Dublin City University. |
2018 | Reprint of Age Friendly Universities and engagement with older adults: moving from principles to practice (2016) (with C.A. Talmage, R.Mark and R.C. Knopf). Special Edition of International Journal of Lifelong Education International Journal Of Lifelong Education (23), 1-16. | |
| 2016 | Resilience: A high price for survival? Cross-border perspectives on the impact of austerity on Irish higher education (with R. Pritchard) in E. Heffernan, N. Moore-Cherry and J. McHale (eds). Debating Austerity, Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. | |
| 2016 |  | Age Friendly Universities and engagement with older adults: moving from principles to practice (with C.A. Talmage, R.Mark and R.C. Knopf). International Journal Of Lifelong Education (23), 1-16. |
2015 |  | Education in Indonesia: Rising to the Challenge (Review team member, leading on lifelong learning). Paris: OECD. |
2015 | Recognition of Prior Learning: International Experiences, Jakarta. Analytic Capactities Development Programme. (pp100). | |
2015 | Intergenerational equality and higher education- towards an age-friendly higher education? In U.Teichler, A.Wolter and P.Zgaga (eds) Higher Education Reform: looking back, looking forward. Frankfort om Main. Peter Lang. | |
2015 |  | Contributing to an evidence base for the enhancement of the experiences and outcomes of mature students at an Irish university (with E. Murphy and Y.Politis) in B. Culum, Y. Politis and F.M.Ribeiro (eds) New voices in Higher Education Research and Scholarship,Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global. |
2015 |  | Perspectives on Professional Development: The Voice of Irish Academics (with E. Kozina) In U. Teichler, W. Cummings (eds) Forming, Recruiting and Managing the Academic Profession. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, pp 271-295. Publisher website: |
2014 |  | Voices of Academics in Irish Higher Education: Perspectives on Professional Development (with E. Kozina), Dublin: All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE) pp100. Full text is available on Publisher website: http://www.aishe.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Voices-of-Academics-in-HE.pdf |
2013 |  | ‘Institutional Alliances: Passing Policy Fad or New Organizational Model?’ in P. Axelrod et al (ed) Making Policy in Turbulent Times: Challenges and Prospects for Higher Education. Kingston: School of Policy Studies, Queen's University, pp 359-377. Publisher website: http://www.mqup.ca/making-policy-in-turbulent-times-products-9781553393320.php |
2013 | ‘Practising what they preach? Academics’ views on professional development for their teaching role’ (with E.Kozina) in C. O’Farrell and A. Farrell (eds) Emerging Issues in Higher Education III, Athlone: Educational Developers of Ireland Network (EDIN) 55-68. Full text is available on Publisher website: http://www.twelvethirtyflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ei3-ch5.pdf | |
2012
| ‘New Knowledge - New Learning? Curriculum Change in Higher Education and Academic Engagement in the Bologna Process in Ireland’ with E.Kozina, In P., M. Pumilia-Gnarini, E. Favaron, E. Pacetti, J. Bishop, L. Guerra (eds.)Handbook of Research on Didactic Strategies and Technologies for Education: Incorporating Advancements. Hershey, PA, USA: IGI Global, pp. 530-540. | |
2012 | ‘Lifelong learning and higher education in Ireland 2000-2010: boom to bust’ in M.Slowey and H.G.Schuetze (eds) Global Perspectives on Higher Education and Lifelong Learners, Routledge: London and New York, pp 60-81. | |
2012
2012 | ‘All change-no change? Lifelong learners and higher education revisited’ (with H.G.Schuetze) in Global Perspectives on Higher Education and Lifelong Learners, op.cit., 3-22. ‘Afterword: a look around the corner’ (with H.G. Scheutze) Global Perspectives on Higher Education and Lifelong Learners op.cit. 281-289. | |
2012 | ‘Between Humboldt and Newman- marketization and global developments in higher education’ (with W. de Vries) in H.G.Schuetze and G. Alvarez (eds) Higher Education Reform: Market and the State Rotterdam: Sense Academic Publishers. | |
2009 | Guest Editorial, Special Edition Journal of Adult and Continuing Education (JACE) 15:2. | |
2009 | ‘Higher education in the broader educational landscape- widening the perspective on equity and access in Ireland’ (with M. Morgan) Journal of Adult and Continuing Education (JACE) 15:2, pp 204-219. | |
2009 | ‘University adult continuing education- the extra-mural tradition revisited’ in International Encyclopaedia of Education, 3rd Edn, Oxford: Elsiver. | |
2008 | Age is just a number? Rethinking learning over the lifecourse. Ageing Horizons, No.8, Oxford Institute of Ageing, 22-30. | |
2007 | ‘Accountability- a fair price for autonomy? The impact of new quality systems on higher education reform’ in University Studies, Vol. 35, No.8, 83-94. | |
2007 | ‘Adults in higher education - the search for a policy learning journey’ in A.Tuckett (ed) Participation and the pursuit of equality: essays in adult learning, widening participation and achievement, Leicester: National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, pp 136-154. | |
2006
| ‘Social exclusion and adult engagement in lifelong learning – some comparative implications for European states based on Ireland's Celtic Tiger experience’ (with T. Healy), Compare: The Journal of Comparative Education, Vol.36, No.3. Full text is avaiable on Publisher website: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03057920600872498?scroll=top&needAccess=true | |
2005 | The Elusive Nature of the Learning Society: A Profile of Adult Participation in Education and Training in Scotland, Edinburgh: Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Division, Scottish Executive, pp 81. | |
2004 | ‘Swimming with the (main)stream? The relationship of adult education and the lifelong learning agenda in post-devolution UK’, The Adult Learner: The Journal of Adult and Community Education in Ireland, Special Edition, pp.27-41. | |
2004 | ‘Changing and Persisting Patterns: the public and lifelong learning in Scotland’ in N.Sargant and F. Aldridge (eds) Adult Learning and Social Division: a Persistent Pattern, Leicester, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, pp 56-80. | |
2004 | OECD Reviews of National Policies for Education: Science and Research Review Bulgaria (joint peer review report), Paris: OECD. |
2018 | 'Demographic changes and longer working lives: implications for lifelong learning' (with Tanya Zubrzycki). Paper presentation. AFU Conference Engaging Ageing 2018: New Frontiers of Ageing: Research, Policy and Practice. Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland: 13-15 March. 'Lifelong education centre stage: new forms of professional development for new forms of lifelong learning'. Invited keynote address. Asia-Europe Lifelong Learning Hub, International Conference: Lifelong Learning Policies & Adult Education Professionals Contextual and Cross-Contextual Comparisons between Europe and Asia. Julius-Maximilian University, Würzburg/Bavaria, Germany: February 16-17. ‘Universities and social engagement: new visions for the ‘third mission’’. Invited keynote address to the XV European Conference on Social and Behavioural Sciences. International Association of Social Science Research, Adnan Menderes University. Kusadasi, Turkey: 1-3rd February. |
| 2017 | 'Comparative and international research in adult education: evolution of concepts and methods'. Keynote address. International Conference ‘Adult education research in the Italian academic community’. University of Florence, Department of Sciences of Education and Psychology: Siped, Società Italiana di Pedagogia (the Italian Society of Pedagogy), Italy: 23-24 November. 'UNIBILITY Guidelines for universities to engage in social responsibility' (With Dr M. Wallace). Invited keynote address. University Meets Social Responsibility Meeting, University of Barcelona, Spain: 22 September. ‘Social engagement and lifelong learning- reconceptualising the ‘third mission’ in higher education’. Invited keynote address at the XIV International Symposium of University Professors. Pontifical University of Rome, Italy: 22-24 June. 'Population Ageing – Key implications for the workforce in Ireland', invited speaker (with Tanya Zubrzycki). ISAX Member Meeting, Dublin, Ireland: 24 May. 'Sustainable Development Goals: a potential stimulus to revisiting core values in higher education and lifelong learning?' Invited keynote address, 13th Lifelong Learning Conference of MELLearN (Hungarian Universities Lifelong Learning Network). Budapest, Hungary: 20-21 April. 'European and International Policies on Higher Education: conflicting priorities – a ‘Faustian Pact’?' Invited speaker. International conference ‘Employability & Competences: Innovative Curricula for New Professions’. University of Florence, Italy: 9-11 March. |
2016 | 'Towards a European Dimension in Research, Practice and Development – Outcomes of ESRALE: Exploitation – Next Steps' (with Tanya Zubrzycki), European Professionals in Adult Education, Bonn, Germany: 17 November Academic Chair, host and presenter 13th Higher Education Reform Workshop, Wider access, changing national demographics and international migration: implications for higher education reform and policy. Dublin City University: 7-9 September. ‘Opportunities and limitations of the RPL ‘vision’-perspectives on recent developments in Europe and Indonesia’ Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) LLL Hub International Symposium 'Supporting Adult Education for a Sustainable Life Course: Asian and European perspectives on Education, Work and Citizenship', Glasgow University: 6-8 June. Academic Chair, host and presenter Crossing Borders through Lifelong Learning: Enhancing quality and equity in higher education, 48th European Universities Continuing Education Network (EUCEN) Conference, Dublin City Unversity: 1-3 June. ‘Adult learning and austerity: experiences from Ireland’ invited speaker, Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Seminar Series Higher Vocational Education and Pedagogy (HIVE-PED) Adult Learning in a time of austerity: University of Wolverhampton: 12 February. 'Rethinking equality challenges: higher education in the broader educational landscape' invited speaker. European Conference on Social and Behavioural Sciences. Paris, France: 3-6 February. |
2015 | ‘International developments in Assessment of Prior Learning’: Analytic Capacity Development Programme, Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education EU Aid and Australia Aid Project: invited lecture series relating toNational Frameworks of Qualifications and lifelong learning to senior level policy and research groups including: Java (Jakarta and Bandung); Bali (Denpassar); Sulawesi (Manado). ‘Rethinking equality challenges: higher education in the broader educational landscape’. Invited keynote, European Conference on Social and Behavioural Sciences. Paris: 3-6 February. |
| 2014 | 'Research and scholarship in higher education and lifelong learning' invited speaker. University College Cork, Ireland: 1-2 December. 'Inequality in contemporary European higher education – a focus on intergenerational issues with particular reference to Ireland' invited speaker. Humboldt-Universitat zu Berlin, Institut fur Erziehungswissenschaften, Abteilung Hochschulforschung, Germany: November. 'Patterns of interaction by higher education with students over their lifecourse' (with Professor Michael Osborne and Professor Andrae Wolter). 11th Higher Education Reform Conference ‘Higher Education and its Principal Mission: Preparing Students for Life, Work and Civic Engagement’. Memorial University, St John’s Newfound Land, Canada: 25-28 August. 'The Role of Higher Education in Addressing Intergenerational Issues: The Age Friendly University' invited speaker. Natuional University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Lifecourse Research Centre, Ireland: July. 'Beyond the “effortless acquisition of superficial information” (Woodrow, 1999) – equity of access to higher learning for adults' invited speaker, European Access Network Annual Conference ‘Hidden Potential or Hollow Promise? Can Technologies Deliver Wider Access and Success in Higher Education?’ – Maggie Woodrow Memorial Lecture. Edinburgh, Scotland: June. 'Teaching in contemporary higher education – perspectives on professional development in Ireland' invited speaker, Enhancement Theme Conference, Quality Assurance Agency for HE in Scotland. Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland: 27 February. |
2012 | ‘Target groups of lifelong learners at universities and other higher education institutions: an international prospective’ invited keynote address, German Federal Ministry of Education Ausftieg durch Bildung: offene Hochfchulen Berlin, 6-7 December. |
2012 | ‘Collaboration and Innovation in universities and other institutions of higher education: A partnership approach to opening higher education to adults’ invited symposium Internationale Ringvorlefung University of Marburg, 3 December. |
2012 | ‘Review of progress on opening higher education to adults’ invited contribution symposium Opening Higher Education to Adults, Leibniz Research Centre for Lifelong Learning, DIE, (German Institute of Adult Education) Bonn, 30 November. |
2012 | ‘Education and the Economy – contemporary education policy’ panel contribution Investment in Education: Fifty Years On School of Education TCD and the Economic Social Research Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 28 November |
2012 | ‘From lifelong learning to longlife learning’ invited international address, When are you old? Gothenburg, 1 October. |
2012 | ‘A sociological and equity perspective on the (re)newed focus on neuroscience in educational policy’ invited contribution NordForsk (Nordic Research Councils) Symposium, ESOF (European Science Open Forum)Neuroscience and Educational Policy Dublin Convention Centre, Dublin 11-15 July. |
2012 | ‘Learning in Later Life’ invited paper, Annual Conference Network4Society FP7 National Contact Points Ageing Well in Europe, Dublin Castle, 9-10 July. |
2012 | ‘Higher education and social innovation: partnership approaches to lifelong learning and civic engagement’ invited address, European Universities Association (EUA) Annual Conference The Sustainability of European Universities Conference University of Warwick, 22-23 March 2012. |
2012 | ’Funding and policy developments in higher education in Ireland’ invited address, UALL Annual ConferenceHigher Education for the Public Good, Clare College, University of Cambridge,18-20 March. |
2012 | ‘Institutional Alliances: Passing Policy Fad or New Organizational Model?” invited keynote address sponsored by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, ‘Policy formation in turbulent times’ hosted by York University 15-17 March. |
2011 | ‘Opening Higher Education to Adults: Opportunities and Threats’, invited address international symposium, German Institute for Adult Education, Leibniz Centre for Lifelong Learning, Bonn, Germany. December. |
2011 | ‘Higher education and lifelong learners’ invited plenary symposium, 8th International Workshop on Higher Education Reforms, Humboldt University, Berlin, October. |
2011 | ‘Lifelong learners in higher education: international trends’ invited keynote address at Universities and Lifelong Learning, University of Western Cape, South Africa, 1-2 September. |
2011 | ‘Practicing what they preach? Academics’ views on professional development in teaching and learning’ with E.Kozina, Annual Conference All Ireland Society for Higher Education, Dublin City University, August. |
2011 | ‘Challenging times; contemporary developments in lifelong learning in Ireland’ invited presentation DIE (German Institute of Adult Education) Bonn, 5 July. |
2010 | ‘New knowledge production in higher education: comparative exploration of knowledge partnering approaches’ (with J.Allison) Annual Conference, Consortium of Higher Education Researchers, University of Oslo, 10-12 June. |
2010 | ‘(Re)invention of tradition: adult education in contemporary higher education’ invited presentation, Centre for Research and Development in Higher Education (CRADALL), Glasgow University 6 June. |
2010 | ‘Strengthening the provision of university level continuing education’ invited keynote, European Universities Association/SIRUS Seminar, University of Lille, 3-4 June |
2010 | ‘New public management meets old political systems: the case of higher education in Ireland’ Stanford University, Higher Education Research Seminar, 6 February. |
2009 | ‘Universities and civic engagement- social purpose (re)visited for the 21st century?’ University of Melbourne, Centre for Study of Higher Education Seminar Series, 20 April |
2008 | ‘Higher education and lifelong learning in Ireland- issues of access’, Canadian Society for Study of Higher Education, University of British Columbia, 1-3 June. |
2008 | ‘Internationalisation of higher education: issues of access and equity’ Fifth International Workshop on Higher Education reform, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 4-6 November. |