Academic History

Ph.D., Adult Education, University of Leicester, U.K., 1980. Thesis on Independent Adult Learning.
Postgraduate Diploma in Adult Education, University of Nottingham, U.K., 1977.  Thesis on Discussion as a Teaching Technique.
M.A., Theoretical Sociology,  University of Reading, U.K., 1974. Thesis on Charles Booth and Sociology.
Postgraduate diploma in Modern Social and Cultural Studies, University of London (Chelsea College), U.K., 1971.  Thesis on Mass Communications, Popular Culture and Social Theory.
B.A. with honors in Modern Studies, Coventry University, U.K., 1970. Interdisciplinary degree in History and Politics.

Areas of Interest

Adult learning and education
Critically reflective practice
Critical theory and education
Critical thinking
Discussion methodology
Improving teaching

Awards and Honors

• 2003 LL.D., honorary degree, Contributions in Shaping Adult Educational Practice, Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.
• 2001 Leadership Award from the Association for Continuing Higher Education for extraordinary contributions to the general field of continuing education on a national and international level
• 1999 Critics’ Choice of the Educational Studies Association for Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms
• 1996 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education, awarded by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education for Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher
• 1991 LL.D., honorary degree, Contributions to the Understanding of Adult Learning and Educational Practice, University System of New Hampshire
• 1989 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education, awarded by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education for Developing Critical Thinkers
• 1986 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education, awarded by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education for Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning
• 1986 Imogene Okes Award for Outstanding Research in Adult Education, awarded by the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education for Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Brookfield, S. (2005). The Power of Critical Theory: Liberating Adult Learning and Teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass/John Wiley; United Kingdom:Mc-Graw Hill.

• Brookfield, S. (2005). Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; United Kingdom: The Open University Press;  PRC: China Light Industry Press.

• Brookfield, S. (2003). Racializing the Discourse of Adult Education. Harvard Educational Review 74(4).

• Brookfield, S. (2003). The Praxis of Transformative Education: African American Feminist Conceptualizations. Journal of Transformative Education, 1(3).

• Brookfield, S. (2003). Racializing Criticality in Adult Education. Adult Education Quarterly, 53(3).

• Brookfield, S. (2002). Re-Assessing Subjectivity, Criticality and Inclusivity: Marcuse’s Challenge to Adult Education. Adult Education Quarterly, 52(4).

• Brookfield, S. (2002). Overcoming Alienation as the Practice of Adult Education: The Contribution of Erich Fromm to a Critical Theory of Adult Learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 52(2).

• Brookfield, S. (2001). Challenging Ideology: Reclaiming a Critical Theory of Adult Learning. In, K. Kunzel (Ed.), Is There More to Life than Learning? Visions of Continuing Adult Education for the 21st Century. International Yearbook of Adult Education, Cologne, Germany: Bohlau-Verlag Publishers.

• Brookfield, S. (2001). Unmasking Power: Foucault and Adult Learning, Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, 15(1).

• Brookfield, S. (2000). The Concept of Critically Reflective Practice. In A. Wilson and E. Hayes, (Eds.). Handbook 2000 of Adult and Continuing Education, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

• Brookfield, S. (2001). Repositioning Ideology Critique in a Critical Theory of Adult Learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 52(1).

• Brookfield, S.(1995). Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; PRC: China Light Industry Press.

• Brookfield, S. (1990). The Skillful Teacher: On Technique, Trust and Responsiveness in the Classroom. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

• Brookfield, S.(1988). Training Educators of Adults: The Theory and Practice of Graduate Adult Education in the United States. New York / London: Routledge, Chapman and Hall.

• Brookfield, S. (1988). Learning Democracy: Eduard Lindeman on Adult Education and Social Change. New York / London: Routledge.

• Brookfield, S. (1987). Developing Critical Thinkers: Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; United Kingdom: The Open University Press.

• Brookfield, S. (1986). Understanding and Facilitating Adult Learning: A Comprehensive Analysis of Principles of Effective Practices. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; United Kingdom: The Open University Press.

• Brookfield, S. (1985). Self-Directed Learning: From Theory to Practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

• Brookfield, S. (1983). Adult Learners, Adult Education and the Community. New York: Teachers College Press; United Kingdom: The Open University Press.  Translated into Chinese and published by Wu-Nan Book Co. Ltd. of Taiwan.