Sharan B. Merriam, a professor of adult education, has received a prestigious national award honoring her significant contributions to the field through a lifetime of research and scholarship.

 Merriam received the distinctive Career Achievement Award, an honor bestowed only once every three years, from the Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE) at their annual conference in December.

 “Your scholarship in the philosophy and foundations of adult education and qualitative research methods has provided the foundational frameworks for theorizing and practicing within our field,” said the chairperson of the CPAE.  “Your work has moved us forward as we explore new concepts, ideas, and knowledge in adult education.”

 Merriam teaches graduate courses in adult education and qualitative research methods and is a member of the Senior Teaching Fellows program and the UGA Teaching Academy.

 Her research and writing, including 20 books and dozens of journal articles,  has focused on the foundations of adult education, adult development, adult learning and qualitative research methods.

 “The accelerated pace of change, coupled with a knowledge and information-based society, have resulted in a growing need for reflective practitioners dedicated to lifelong learning and the continuing education of adults,” she said. “It is an honor to be recognized by my colleagues for my contributions to the field and to know that these contributions are relevant to the preparation of both scholars and practitioners in adult education.”

 Merriam was a Fulbright Scholar to Malaysia in 1998. She is a three-time winner of the prestigious international Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education for books published in 1982, 1997 and 1999.

 She has conducted workshops and seminars on adult learning and qualitative research throughout North America and around the world, including countries in southern Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

 Merriam has also served for five years as co-editor of Adult Education Quarterly, the major research and theory journal in adult education.

 Merriam has been on the faculty since 1985.  Prior to coming to UGA, she was on the faculties of Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University. She earned her Ed.D in adult and continuing educator from Rutgers University.

  In existence since 1955, CPAE is part of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) and meets annually in conjunction with AAACE.  CPAE provides a forum for the discussion of important issues related to the academic preparation of adult educators.  Its 320 members include professors and academic professionals from the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Monday, January 6, 2003
WRITER: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
CONTACT: Sharan Merriam, 706/542-4018, smerriam@coe.uga.edu