ABSTRACT
Knud Illeris’ work is considered an important reference point in the understanding of how people learn. During his long-term research on learning processes, Illeris came into contact with Jack Mezirow’s Transformation Theory and he embodied it into his learning theory. He also made specific proposals for a more comprehensive and up- to-date interpretation of transformative learning theory. In this chapter, after a brief presentation of the core tenets of Illeris’ approach to learning to illustrate how he exploited transformative learning in the framework of his conceptualization of human learning, the points of convergence and divergence between Mezirow’s and Illeris’ theories are explored. A comprehensive picture of Illeris’ view about Mezirow’s contribution, as well as about the current realities in the wider field of transformative learning follows. Finally, Illeris’ contribution to the development of transformative learning theory is evaluated, with reference to the central role of personal identity as the crucial element that should be reconstructed when an essential transformative learning process takes place.
