Adult education, vocational education and economic policy: theory illuminates understanding

Adult education and vocational education have a long and complex relationship. At many levels, they remain distinct ideas and each is the focus of a dedicated body of research and theory. At the same time, overlaps have always been acknowledged. This relationship and how it plays out in economic policy settings is the focus of this editorial. The Australian case is taken up as illuminating especially when viewed through the lens of Bourdieu’s analysis of fields.