Empowering Women Through Transformative Learning in Neoliberal Times

Book: Implementing Transformative Student-Centered Pedagogies in the Neoliberal Academy: Constraints and Opportunities by CSMFL Publications

Jennifer Van Aswegen
Graduate Education and Research Integrity Officer, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland.

10.46679/9789349926912ch16
This chapter is a part of: Implementing Transformative Student-Centered Pedagogies in the Neoliberal Academy: Constraints and Opportunities
ISBN (Ebook): 978-93-49926-91-2
ISBN (Hardcover Print): 978-93-49926-11-0
ISBN (Softcover Print): 978-93-49926-31-8

© CSMFL Publications & its authors.
Published: May 05, 2026

Aswegen, J. V. (2026). Empowering Women Through Transformative Learning in Neoliberal Times. In F. Fovet, Implementing Transformative Student-Centered Pedagogies in the Neoliberal Academy: Constraints and Opportunities (pp 359-379). CSMFL Publications. https://dx.doi.org/10.46679/9789349926912ch16

Abstract

Educational researchers and practitioners frequently draw upon empowerment theory to support marginalised cohorts of learners overcome barriers and feelings of powerlessness, including women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. This chapter aims to shine a spotlight on the role of transformative pedagogies in the field of lifelong learning, focusing on projects designed to empower women achieve their full potential in and through adult education. It highlights an accreditation of prior experiential learning project, and a community-based higher education programme as examples of initiatives that seek to resist the neoliberal tune, which that has come to dominate Irish adult education and lifelong learning over the past 10 years, or more. Given the increasingly complex world in which we live, and the global challenges we face, our need for citizens who possess the resources to respond to current and future neoliberal challenges—and are willing to do so—is of utmost importance in adult education and lifelong learning.

Keywords: Empowerment Theory, Transformative Pedagogy, Lifelong Learning, Women’s Education, Neoliberal Adult Education

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