The educational sub-discipline of adult education/continuing education is currently described more in terms of research fields than in terms of professional fields of activity, as was previously the case. Current research fields in adult education/continuing education include the structure and governance of continuing education (also from an international comparative perspective), the organization and management of continuing education, participation structures and transitions in the life course, and (non-)formal and informal processes of competence acquisition (also taking into account digital learning and educational media).

The work and research interests of the Professorship of Lifelong Learning include:

• Supporting and enabling lifelong learning processes
• Consulting research
• Skills research, in particular the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal skills, skills development, reconstruction of self-reflection skills
• Education and recognition theory
• Pedagogical professional research, in particular professionalization and professionalism in adult education, teacher training
• Teaching and learning research, in particular self-regulated and self-directed learning with digital media
• International educational cooperation

These focus areas and research interests are incorporated into the courses offered by the Professorship of Lifelong Learning. Students can acquire scientific foundations and professionally relevant skills in the field of adult education/continuing education in the following degree programs:

Bachelor's/Master's degree programs:

• Focus on “Adult and Continuing Education” in the Bachelor's program in Education
• Focus on “Adult Education/Continuing Education” in the Master's program in Education (in planning)
• Required elective area “Interaction and organizational skills in adult education/continuing education” in the Master's program in Education for Sustainable Development
• Extensive range of modules for the (required) elective area of various other Bachelor's and Master's degree programs

Continuing education program:

• Postgraduate Program in Adult Education

Further information on study opportunities can be found under the heading "Studies and Teaching“