ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequence chapters of this book. The book offers some reflections about the complexities of developing a research culture in university lifelong learning. It examines some success factors for achieving an improved dialogue between educational research and practice to promote institutional development and quality of provision. The book explores the role of university continuing education as strategic element for companies in their targeted and sustainable company policy. It also explores the challenge of skills management and transfer that seem to be particularly crucial to avoiding the loss of skills when experienced workers retire. The book discusses how universities can demarginalise and outreach older persons with a radical reading of the term 'productive ageing' by setting a community-oriented agenda marked by critical literacy and transformative action.
