Mezirow Biography

Jack Mezirow

Jack Mezirow is Emeritus Professor of Adult and Continuing Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, Former Chairman, Department of Higher and Adult Education, and Director for Adult Education. Before coming to Teachers College, Professor Mezirow was Associate Dean for Statewide Programs, University of California Extension and Director, Division of Human Resource Development, Latin American Bureau, Agency for International Development. At Columbia University he established and directed a pioneering doctoral program in transformative learning, Adult Education Guided Independent Study (AEGIS). Currently he is engaged in research, consultation and writing.

Professor Mezirow's research interests are in adult learning and education. He has worked over the past two decades on an evolving Transformation Theory that attempts to delineate generic dimensions and processes of learning and its implications for educators of adults. His work has initiated a transformative learning movement in adult education. Articles, critiques and dialogues continue to appear in the Adult Education Quarterly and elsewhere.

Latest books include Transformative Dimensions of Adult Learning (1991) and Fostering Critical Reflection in Adulthood (with Associates, 1990). Both were published by Jossey-Bass and have been translated into other languages. Fostering Critical Reflection received the Frandson Award for Outstanding Publication in Continuing Education and Last Gamble on Education (with Darkenwald and Knox, Adult Education Association, 1975) won the Okes Award for Outstanding Research in Adult Education. He is author of other books, chapters, research reports and numerous articles, and is currently working on a new book on transformative learning.

Mezirow defines learning as a meaning making activity: "Learning is understood as the process of using a prior interpretation to construe a new or a revised interpretation of the meaning of one's experience in order to guide future action" (1996, p.162).

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There are three phases to transformation learning:
1. critical reflection on one's assumptions
2. discourse to validate the critically reflective insight
3. action

Mezirow describes this process as often resulting from a disorienting dilemma that an individual would experience as a crisis that cannot be resolved through previous problem solving strategies. The individual then engages in self-examination (often accompanied by feeling of shame, sometimes turning to religion for support). This self-examination includes a critical assessment of assumptions, which results in the realization that others have gone through a similar process. This leads to exploring options for forming new roles, relationships, or actions, which leads to the formulation of a plan of action. The plan of action includes acquiring new skills and knowledge, trying out new roles, renegotiating relationships and negotiating new relationships, and building confidence and competence. Finally the individual reintegrates back into his/her life with this new transformed perspective.

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Since his retirement, Professor Mezirow has made presentations and led seminars on transformative learning at many universities in the U.S. and in Spain, Finland, Canada, Thailand,Puerto Rico, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. He was Chairman of the First National Conference on Transformative Learning, held at Columbia University in 1998.

Professor Mezirow has been a consultant in adult literacy and community development for UNDP, UNESCO, AID, USIA, Asia Foundation and World Education in many countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Recent assignments have been as advisor on adult literacy to the Government of Pakistan and as leader of an international team of World Education consultants studying distance learning in Thailand for the Government of Thailand and the Asia Development Bank.

Professor Mezirow lives in New York City and East Hampton, NY. He holds an Ed.D. Degree in Adult Education from the University of California at Los Angeles and B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Social Sciences and Education from the University of Minnesota. His wife is a consultant in arts administration and his son the captain of a charter sportsfishing boat in Seward, Alaska.

References:

Merriam, S.B. and Cafarella, R.S. (1999) Learning in adulthood. Jossey-Blass

Adult Educators You Should Know: Jack Mezirow
http://www.nl.edu/ace/Resources/Mezirow.html

A Discussion with Jack Mezirow by Bob Grahame
http://www.sfu.ca/~bgrahame/study/med/7extrastudy/mezdig.html

Teachers College 2002 International Conference
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/academic/o&ldept/adult_ed/TLC1.htm