Adult Education in Russia: Deterrents to Participation and Models for Involvement (the Case of Formal Engineering Education)

The dissertation is devoted to the analysis of the specifics of adult education in Russia (the Case of Formal Engineering Education). We have reviewed the process of establishing continuing education. At the same time, we have demonstrated the link between the involvement of adults in the educational process and the level of economic development of the country. The dissertation also analyzes the main theoretical traditions of the sociological understanding of adult education. The thesis provides a comparative assessment of the level of adult involvement in education in Russia and the OECD countries. Based on our empirical research, the paper suggests models of adult participation in education. We have identified motivating, demotivating factors and barriers to the inclusion of adults in education in Russia. We have also developed a set of measures to create favorable social conditions for adult participation in education in Russia.