Sharan Merriam

Biography

Sharan Merriam Presently on the faculty in Adult Education at the University of Georgia in Athens, where her responsibilities include teaching graduate courses in adult education and qualitative research methods, and supervising graduate student research. Her doctorate is in adult education from Rutgers University. Prior to her move to Georgia, she served on the faculties of Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech. Dr. Merriam served as author, co-author, or editor of 25 books and was co-editor of the "Adult Education Quarterly" for five years. Ref. http://www-distance.syr.edu/pvitasbm.html

Her scholarship has helped shape the discipline of adult education. Through her books, dozens of articles and chapters, and editorship roles over the past 25 years, Dr. Merriam has made significant scholarly contributions to adult education in the areas of philosophical foundations, adult learning and development, and qualitative research methods. She is read and recognized worldwide for her groundbreaking works. Her co-authored book, "Learning in Adulthood" is a key organizing instructional text for graduate study and professional development in adult learning.

Dr. Merriam's textbooks and her engagement with the field both nationally and internationally has contributed to adult education, her works have guided many scholars of adult learning and development.

In her nearly 25 years in the field of adult and continuing education, Dr. Merriam has held leadership roles in both the Commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE) and in the Adult Education Research Conference (AERC). Her leadership in numerous volunteer editorial roles includes five years as co-editor of the Association's main theory and research outlet, "Adult Education Quarterly"; co-editor of the "1990 Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education"; review editor for eight different journals; and currently, co-editor for the book series, Professional Practices in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning.

Dr. Merriam mentors future scholars and junior colleagues worldwide. This mentorship has been formalized through the Houle Scholars Program sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. The Houle Scholars Program helps develop emerging scholars in North America, Southern Africa, and Latin America.

Along with numerous teaching and research awards, Dr. Merriam has been a Fulbright Scholar to Malaysia and a Visiting Scholar to Soongsil University, South Korea and won the Houle World Award for Outstanding Literature for three different books. Ref.(http://www.halloffame.outreach.ou.edu/2003/Merriam.html)

Books

Merriam, S. B. & Brockett, R. (2007). "The profession and practice of adult education: An introduction (updated)". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Merriam, S. B. and Associates (2007). "Non-Western perspectives on learning and knowing". Malabar, Fl: Krieger Publishing Company.

Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S. & Baumgartner, L. (2007). "Learning in adulthood (3rd edition)". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Merriam, S. B., Courtenay, B. C, & Cervero, R. M. (Eds.) (2006). "Global issues and adult education: Perspectives from Latin America, Southern Africa and the United States". San Francisco: Jossey Bass. Elias, J. and Merriam, S. B. (2005). "Philosophical foundations of adult education (3rd edition)". Malabar, Fl: Krieger Publishing Company.

Merriam, S. B. and Associates (2002). "Qualitative research in practice: Examples for discussion and analysis". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. Merriam, S. B. (Ed.), (2001). "The new update on adult learning theory. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education", No. 89, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B., & Simpson, E. L. (2000). "A guide to research for educators and trainers of adults. (2nd ed., updated)". Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company.

Baumgartner, L., & Merriam, S. B. (Eds.), (2000). "Adult learning and development: Multicultural stories". Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company. Merriam, S. B., & Caffarella, R. S. (1999). "Learning in adulthood. (2nd ed.)". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. (Winner of the 2000 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education; translated into Chinese, 2003).

Merriam, S. B. (1998). "Qualitative research and case study applications in education (Rev. ed.)". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. (Translated into Japanese, 2004.)

Merriam, S. B., & Brockett, R. (1997). "The profession and practice of adult education: An introduction". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. (Winner of 1997 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education.)

Merriam, S. B., & Simpson, E. L. (1995). "A guide to research for educators and trainers of adults. (2nd ed.)". Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company. (First edition, 1984, winner of the 1984 Philip Franson Memorial Award for Literature in Continuing Education.)

Elias, J. L., & Merriam, S. B. (1995). "Philosophical foundations of adult education. (2nd ed.)". Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company.

Merriam, S. B. (Ed.).(1995). "Selected writings on philosophy and adult education. (2nd ed.)". Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company.

Merriam, S. B. (Ed.). (1993). "An Update on Adult Learning Theory. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education", no. 57. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1993.(also authored two chapters.)

Merriam, S. B., & Clark, M. C. (1991). "Lifelines: Patterns of work, love and learning in adulthood". Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B., & Caffarella, R. S. (1991). "Learning in adulthood". Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B., & Cunningham, P. M. (Eds.). (1989). "Handbook of adult and continuing education". Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B. (1988). "Case study research in education: A qualitative approach". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. (Reissued in soft cover, 1991. Translated into Swedish and Korean.)

Merriam, S. B. (1983). "Themes of adulthood through literature". New York: Teachers College Press.

Merriam, S. B. (1982). "Linking philosophy and practice". San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Darkenwald, G., & Merriam, S. B. (1982). "Adult education: Foundations of practice". New York: Harper & Row. (Translated into Chinese, 1984. Winner of the 1985 Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education.)

Elias, J. L., & Merriam, S. B. (1980). "Philosophical foundations of adult education". Huntington, NY: Krieger Publishing Company. (Translated into French by Adele Chene and Emile Oliver, Montreal, 1982.)

Merriam, S. B. (1980). "Coping with male mid-life: A systematic analysis using literature as a data source". Washington, D. C.: University Press in America.

Refereed Journal Articles (since 1992)

Merriam, S. B. & Ntseane, G. (in press). Transformational learning in Botswana: How culture shapes the process. Adult Education Quarterly.

Merriam, S. B. (2005). Knowledge construction and cultural context in adult learning theory. Taiwan Journal of Adult Education.

Merriam, S. B. (2005). The role of cognitive development in Mezirow’s Theory of Transformational Learning. Adult Education Quarterly. 55(1), 60-68.

Roberson, D. N. & Merriam, S. B. (2005). The self-directed learning process of older, rural adults. Adult Education Quarterly, 55(4), 269-287.

Merriam S. B.& Leahy, B. (2005). Learning transfer: A review of the research in adult education and training. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning. 14, 1-24. Jang, S. Y. & Merriam,S. B. (2004). Korean culture and the reentry motivations of university-graduated women. Adult Education Quarterly, 54(4), 273-290..

Kim, A. & Merriam, S. B. (2004). Motivational factors and participation among learning in retirement participants. Educational Gerontology, 30(3), 441-455.

Merriam, S.B., Courtenay, B., & Baumgartner, L. (2003). On becoming a witch: Learning in a marginalized community of practice. Adult Education Quarterly, 53,(3). 170-188.

Courtenay, B. C., Merriam, S. B., & Baumgartner. L. M. (2003). Witches’ ways of knowing: Integrative learning in joining a marginalized group. International Journal of Lifelong Education 22(2), 111-131.

Merriam, S. B. & Truluck, J. (2002). Adult learners in cyberspace: The challenge of applying adult learning theory to computer mediated instruction. Malaysian Journal of Distance Education, 4(2), 1-15. Bierema, L. L., Merriam, S. B. (2002). Virtual mentoring: Using technology to enhance the mentoring process. Innovative Higher Education. 26(3), 211-227.

Merriam, S. B., Courtenay, B. C. & Reeves, P. M. (2001). Time and its relationship to development in the life course: Reflections from a study of HIV-positive adults. Journal of Adult Development, 8(3). 173-182.

Merriam, S. B., with Johnson-Bailey, J., Lee, M. Kee, Y., Ntseane, G., & Muhamad, M. (2001). Power and positionality: Negotiating insider/outsider status within and across cultures. International Journal of Lifelong Education. 20(3), 405-416.

Merriam, S. B. & Muhamad, M. (2001). Aging in a non-Western culture. Asian-Pacific Adult Education, 2(1), 3-17.

Merriam, S. B. (2001). Something old, something new: The changing mosaic of adult learning theory. Andragogy Today, 4(1), 1-29.

Merriam, S. B. & Muhamad, M. (2000). How cultural values shape learning in older adulthood: The case of Malaysia. Adult Education Quarterly, 51(1), 45-63.

Merriam, S. B. & Muhamad, M. (2000). Insider/outsider status: Reflections on cross-cultural interviewing. Inquiry, 19(3), 34-43.

Courtenay, B. C., Merriam, S. B., Reeves, P. M., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2000). Perspective transformation over time: A two-year follow-up study of HIV-positive adults. Adult Education Quarterly, 50(2), 102-119..

Reeves, P. M., Merriam, S. B., & Courtenay, B. C. (1999). Adaptation to HIV infection: The development of coping strategies over time. Qualitative Health Research 3, 344-361.

Courtenay, B. C., Merriam, S. B., & Reeves, P. M. (1998). The centrality of meaning-making in transformational learning: How HIV-positive adults make sense of their lives. Adult Education Quarterly, 48, 65-84.

Merriam, S. B., Courtenay, B. C., & Reeves, P. M. (1997). Ego development in the face of death: How being HIV-positive affects movement through Erikson’s adult stages of development. Journal of Adult Development, 4, 221-235.

Merriam, S. B. (1996). Updating our knowledge of adult learning. The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 16, 136-143.

Merriam, S. B., Mott, V. W., & Lee, M. (1996). Learning that comes from the negative interpretation of life experience. Studies in Continuing Education, 18, 1-23.

Merriam, S. B., & Yang, B. (1996). A longitudinal study of adult life experiences and developmental outcomes. Adult Education Quarterly, 46, 62-81.

Merriam, S. B., & Heuer, B. (1996). Meaning-making, adult learning and development: A model with implications for practice. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 15, 243-255.

Merriam, S. B., Martin, P., Adkins, G., & Poon, L. (1995). Centenarians: Their memories and future ambitions. International Journal of Aging and Human Development,41, 117-132.

Dunn, T. R., & Merriam, S. B. (1995). The age-30 transition: Does it exist? Adult Development, 2, 113-124.

Merriam, S. B. (1995). What can you tell from an N of 1?: Issues of validity and reliability in qualitative research. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 4, 51-60. Merriam, S. B., & Suorata, J. (1995). Conversations with Sharan B. Merriam. The Finnish Journal of Adult Education, 15, 144-145.

Merriam, S. B. (1993). Butler’s life review: How universal is it? International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 37, 163-175.

Merriam, S. B. (1993). The uses of reminiscence in older adulthood. Educational Gerontology, 19, 441-450. Merriam, S. B. (1993). Multiculturalism and adult education: Questions to guide our research. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 2, 57-60.

Merriam, S. B., & Clark, M. C. (1993). Work and love in adult life: A tool for structuring reflection. Educational Gerontology, 19, 203-216.

Merriam, S. B. (1993). Race, sex, and age-group differences in frequency and uses of reminiscence. Activities, Adaptation and Aging, 18, 1-18.

Merriam, S. B., & Clark, M. C. (1993). Work and love: Their relationship in adulthood. The International Journal of Behavior Development, 16, 609-627.

Merriam, S. B., & Clark, M. C. (1993). Learning from life experience: What makes it significant? International Journal of Lifelong Education, 12, 129-138.

Merriam, S. B., & Clark, M. C. (1992). Adult learning in good times and bad. Studies in Continuing Education, 14, 1-13.

Book Chapters

Meriam, S. B. (in press). Adult learning theory. In K. Rubenson (Ed.). International Encyclopedia of Adult Education. London: Excelsior.

Merriam, S. B. (2006). Transformational Learning and HIV-Positive Young Adults. In V. Anfara & N. Mertz (Eds). Theoretical frameworks in qualitative research. (pp. 23-38). Newbury Park, CA: Sage

Merriam, S. B. (2005). How adult life transitions foster learning and development. In M.A. Wolf (Ed.), Adulthood: New terrain. (pp.3-13). New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, No. 108. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Merriam, S. B. & Clark, M. C. (2006).Adult development and adult learning: The connection in adulthood. In C. Hoare (Ed.), Oxford handbook of adult development and learning (pp.27-51). Oxford University Press.

Merriam, S. B. (2005). Adult development. In L. English (Ed.) Encyclopedia of adult education (pp. 36-42). London: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd

Merriam, S. B. (2005). Adult learning. In L. English (Ed.) Encyclopedia of adult education (pp.42-48). London: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd

Merriam, S. B. (2005). Case study research. In L. English (Ed.) Encyclopedia of adult education (pp. 93-96). London: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd

Merriam, S. B. (2004). The changing landscape of adult learning theory. In J. Comings, B. Garner, & C. Smith (Eds.), Review of adult learning and literacy. Vol. 4, (pp.199-220). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Merriam, S. B. (2004). Resources on adult learning theory. In J. Comings, B. Garner, & C. Smith (Eds.), Review of adult learning and literacy. Vol. 4 (pp. 221-235). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Merriam, S. B. (2001). Andragogy and self-directed learning: Pillars of adult learning theory. In S.B. Merriam (Ed.), The new update on adult learning theory (pp. 3-14). New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, No. 89. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Merriam, S. B. (2001). A map of the filed. In Muhamad, M. (ed.), Adult and continuing education in Malaysia (pp. 1-19). Hamburg: UNESCO Institute for Education.

Merriam, S. B. (2000). Time as the integrative factor. In M. C. Clark & R. S. Caffarella (Eds.), An update on adult development theory: New ways of thinking about the life course (pp. 67-76). New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, No. 84. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Caffarella, R. S., & Merriam, S. B. (2000). Linking the individual learner to the context of adult learning. In E. Hayes & A. Wilson (Eds.), Handbook of adult and continuing education. (pp. 55-70). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Adult learning and theory building: A review, reprinted in Foundations of American higher education. Needham Heights, MA: Simon & Schuster Publishing. (Originally published in Adult Education Quarterly, vol. 37, no. 4).

Merriam, S. B. (1998). Adult life transitions: Opportunities for learning and development. In M. A. Wolf & M. A. Leahy (Eds.), Adults in transition (pp. 8-18). Washington, D.C.: American Association for Adult and Continuing Education.

Merriam, S. B. (1995). Butler’s life review: How universal is it? Reprinted in Jon Hendricks, (Ed.) The meaning of reminiscence and life review (pp. 7-20). New York: Bayworth Publishing Company. Merriam, S. B. (1995). Reminiscence and the oldest old. In B. Haight & J. D. Webster (Eds.), The art and science of reminiscing (pp. 79-88). New York: Taylor & Francis.

Merriam, S. B. (1994). Writing and submitting a manuscript for publication. In D. R. Garrison (Ed.), Interdisciplinary research perspectives in adult education (pp. 117-132). Malabar, FL: Krieger Publishing Company.

Merriam, S. B. (1994). Learning and life experience. The connection in adulthood. In J. D. Sinnott (Ed.), Handbook of adult lifespan learning (pp. 74-89).Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Merriam, S. B. (1993). Adult learning: Where have we come from? In S. B. Merriam (Ed.), An update on adult learning theory. (pp. 5-14).New Directions in Adult and Continuing Education, no. 57. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B. (1993). Taking stock. In S. B. Merriam (Ed.), An update on adult learning theory. (pp. 105-110).New Directions in Adult and Continuing Education, no. 57. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Merriam, S. B. (1991). How research contributes to the field of adult education. In P. Jarvis & J. Peters (Eds.), Adult education as a field of study: Its evolution, achievements and future (pp. 42-65). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Presentations, Workshops, Keynote Addresses

Have made presentations, conducted workshops or been a keynote speaker at conferences and universities in the United States, China, Canada, India, Malaysia, England, Australia, New Zealand, Botswana, Taiwan, South Korea, Palestine and South Africa. Topics include presentations on current research, adult learning theory, adult development, and qualitative research methods.

Editorships

Editor, with Ronald M. Cervero, of the book series, Professional Practices in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, Krieger Publishing Company. (currently)

Editor, with Ronald M. Cervero of Adult Education Quarterly, the major journal of research and theory in Adult Education. Editorship involved organizing and administering a 50 member review board, managing a blind review process, corresponding with authors, editing accepted manuscripts and overseeing desktop publishing of the journal. Journal is published four times a year. 1989-1993 Editor, with Phyllis Cunningham, of the Handbook of Adult Education. This service to the Association of Adult and Continuing Education involved conceptualizing the project, securing authors for 48 chapters, editing the chapters, working with the Association over format, content and budget.

Consulting Editor for Adult Education Quarterly, Adult Literacy and Basic Education, The Canadian Journal for the Study of Adult Education, The Gerontologist, International Journal of Aging and Human Development, International Journal of Lifelong Education, New Zealand Journal of Adult Learning, and Qualitative Studies in Education.

Honors and Awards (since 1992)

Visiting Scholar, Department of Lifelong Education, Soongsil University, Seoul, South Korea (March to June, 2006)

Elected to the Board of Directors, Capella University, Minneapolis, Minn(3-year term of service) 2004 Inducted into the International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame. 2003 Recipient of the Career Achievement Award from the Commission of Professors of Adult Education (awarded once every three years). 2002

Recipient of the Houle World Award for Outstanding Literature in Adult Education for the book, Learning in Adulthood, at AAACE. 2000

Selected for the Inaugural Class of The University of Georgia Teaching Academy. 2000

Fulbright Lectureship and Research Award to University Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia (June to December, 1998)1998

Recipient of the Houle World Award for Outstanding Literature in Adult Education for the book The Profession and Practice of Adult Education: An Introduction, at AAACE.1997

Selected as a Senior Teaching Fellow, Office of Instructional Development, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.1997

Selected as one of two delegates from the commission of Professors of Adult Education (CPAE) to participate in the Fifth International UNESCO Conference on Adult Education, Hamburg, Germany.1997 Summer Outreach Award to support collaboration with Universiti Pertania Malaysia. 1997

Meritorious Service Award, American Association of Adult and Continuing Education, for service to the field as co-editor of Adult Education Quarterly.1993

Georgia Adult Education Association’s Literary Award for Lifelines: Patterns of Work, Love and Learning in Adulthood.1993

Selected as an Advisor/Mentor for the National Extension Leadership Development (NELD) program, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Kellogg Foundation.1992/1993

Selected to be a Research Fellow with the Project for the Study of Adult Learning (PSAL), a National University Continuing Education Association sponsored project.1991/1992