Aikuiskasvatustoimijoiden mielikuvia tutkimuksen ja politiikanteon suhteesta ja vuorovaikutuksesta

The article analyses the imageries that actors within adult education have on the relations between research and policymaking. Based on previous research, the relations cannot be defined solely as the impact of the research evidence on policymaking. The data, which include 11 key person interviews and eight group discussions, shed light on the Finnish adult education actors’ imageries on the relations and interaction between research and policymaking. In the analysis, the central concepts of the actor-network theory (ANT) are applied as analytical tools. The findings give insights into the adult education actors’ imageries on the relations between research and policymaking as well as their interests in that interaction. The actors regarded that the interaction is enhanced by institutional and hybrid mediators and by translations that are contributing to shared understanding. The imageries are discussed together with research literature by pondering the ways and directions of interaction that are characteristic of adult education.