The collection of studies that comprises this volume extends existing boundaries and sets new parameters for the scholarly consideration of adults' lifelong learning. This is achieved through capturing the experiences of individuals and communities who can be seen to be 'on the margin' in some ways, and through re-conceptualising the scope for, purposes of and spaces where lifelong learning occurs and, importantly, in ways that are worthwhile for individuals and their communities. Also, the collected contributions presented here do not sit comfortably with some orthodoxies of the lifelong learning literature. Here, there is also a particular freshness and cogency in some chapters, and a sensitive, but scholarly, treatment of topics that would often be seen as marginal, out of bounds or just too difficult for much mainstream academic work about lifelong learning. Moreover, rather than treading lightly, much of the contributions here sharply draw the readers' attention to issues not yet effectively addressed. In doing so, the contributions represent experiences that reflect the contemporary era of turbulent social and economic change and articulate their impact upon communities and groups of individuals who are marginalised or in peril of being so. Indeed, the sections identifying and discussing the particular purposes of individuals' engagement in and learning through their communities that highlight the complexity and sometimes contradictory nature of that participation stands as instances of salient, helpful and fresh scholarly work.