Laura McGibney, Online Engagement Advisor at South East Technological University (SETU), shares her insights from the European Society for Research on the Education of Adults (ESREA) triennial conference 2025 in Prague.
Attending ESREA 2025 in Prague
Over three days at Charles University, academics, researchers, and practitioners in adult education came together to explore the set theme: Dialogue in and through Adult Education and Learning. The conference highlighted how genuine dialogue fosters meaningful learning and social justice, and how it shapes inclusive institutions.
In an era of polarisation, marginalisation, and rapid societal change, adult education plays a crucial role in building recognition, solidarity, and reciprocal learning across diverse communities and generations. The schedule included workshops, paper sessions, and poster presentations. Together, such a diverse range of interaction opportunities offered attendees a rich mix of perspectives and approaches.
Insights on Adult Education and Dialogue
Reflecting on her experience, Laura notes:
“The ESREA conference introduced several ideas that will directly inform my work as an Online Engagement Advisor at SETU.”
A key takeaway across sessions was the importance of dialogue and reflection in supporting adult learners. These practices help students build confidence, connect with others, and develop a stronger sense of belonging, which is essential for those balancing study, work, and personal commitments.
Laura also discovered creative and arts-based approaches to adult learning that encourage students to share experiences and explore their identity as learners. “These approaches have given me new ideas for designing engagement initiatives that promote inclusion and amplify learner voices,” she noted.
Impact on Online Engagement at SETU
According to Laura, the conference expanded her perspective beyond online environments, reinforcing the role of dialogue as a foundation for learning and personal development. She believes that these insights will inform both her work with students and SETU’s wider strategies for fostering community and connection in adult learning.
Building Impact Beyond the Conference
Back at SETU, Laura began to reflect on how the ideas from ESREA could influence not just her work, but the wider learning community. This angle was directly inspired by her participation in the conference, where she saw how dialogue and reflection could help students juggle work, family, and study while still building confidence and a sense of belonging. “Hearing how other educators use dialogue and reflection to empower learners gave me practical ideas to strengthen connection and belonging in our programmes,” Laura explains.
Beyond the social impact, she also recognised environmental and economic benefits: engaging learners effectively online reduces the need for travel, and flexible, inclusive learning enables adults to upskill or retrain without leaving employment, contributing to both personal growth and regional development.
Connecting Across Borders with EU-CONEXUS
Laura credits EU-CONEXUS for making this opportunity possible. “I would not have been able to attend this conference or share our work on learner engagement without their support. It gave me the chance to present at an international level and connect with educators across Europe,” she says.
According to Laura, the network offers a space to share practices, learn from others, and explore innovative approaches in adult education. For students, the impact is equally significant: initiatives like this promote inclusion, internationalisation, and sustainability, showing that learning and collaboration can transcend borders.
Turning Insights into Action
Upon her return from Prague, Laura felt energised to put these lessons into practice.
“By integrating these ideas into my daily work and sharing them through networks like EU-CONEXUS, I can help create small but meaningful shifts in learning,” she reflects. Laura has already begun experimenting with creative engagement initiatives and designing online spaces where learners feel supported, connected, and included. The experience at the conference also strengthened her belief in the power of collaboration. In other words, small changes can ripple outward, shaping adult learning in ways that are inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in students’ real-world experiences.
More information on the EU-CONEXUS mobility fund is available here.
Laura McGibney presenting at ESREA 2025
