UWindsor's Dr. Susan Holloway (left) and Dr. Patricia Gouthro of Mount Saint Vincent University were recognized by Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) in Liverpool, England. (Photo courtesy of Susan Holloway)
By John-Paul Bonadonna
The University of Windsor is celebrating a prestigious international honour awarded to Susan Holloway, professor in the Faculty of Education.
Dr. Holloway’s innovative research in adult education and literacy has earned global recognition from the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL), presented to Holloway at its annual conference in Liverpool, England.
The award recognizes Holloway alongside her research collaborator — and notably, her sister — Patricia Gouthro of Mount Saint Vincent University for advancing inclusive models of lifelong learning that embrace diversity, creativity and real-world relevance. The award celebrates initiatives that demonstrate innovation and excellence in expanding access to lifelong education.
Holloway and Dr. Gouthro’s research focuses on multiliteracies, a framework that broadens the traditional definition of literacy beyond reading and writing to include different modes of communication such as visual, digital, gestural and spatial forms. It also emphasizes the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity in learning environments.
“Literacy is not one-size-fits-all, as adults learn and express themselves in complex and multimodal ways,” Holloway said. “Our research looks at how diverse places and environments are rich sites of learning, especially for newcomers, multilingual learners and people who may have been marginalized by traditional educational systems.”
While much of the existing research in multiliteracies has concentrated on children in elementary education, Holloway has charted new territory by applying the theory to adult learners, particularly those learning in community-based settings rather than formal classrooms.
Through a national SSHRC-funded study, Holloway and Gouthro conducted in-depth fieldwork across Canada, analyzing how community organizations foster learning through creative, multimodal and culturally responsive methods. They documented practices such as digital storytelling, visual model-making and arts-based learning that enable learners to share knowledge and build confidence, even when language barriers exist.
As a full-time professor at UWindsor, Holloway brings the insights from her research directly into her teaching. She is known for her dynamic and constantly evolving course content, often grounded in current debates and emerging theories in literacy and adult education.
“I see teaching and research as deeply connected,” she said. “I regularly update my syllabi to reflect what’s happening in the field, and I encourage my students to engage with those ideas and apply them to their own practice.”
In addition to scholarly publications, Holloway and Gouthro have made their research widely accessible through a digital platform. Resources, articles and multimedia tools for educators can be found on the Multiliteracies Project website.
Holloway said the award from UALL provides an opportunity to shine a light on the value of community-based adult learning and the importance of universities being engaged, responsive and inclusive institutions.
“The University of Windsor has given me the space to ask big questions and connect with educators from across Canada and around the world,” she said.
Holloway’s work has not only earned acclaim from UALL but has also been recognized internationally through invitations to guest-edit a special issue of the Australian Journal of Adult Learning and deliver a keynote address at the Multiliteracies in Plurilingual Societies 2025 symposium in Spain.
“I’m so grateful to be part of a faculty where innovation and outreach are encouraged,” Holloway said.
“Dean (Ken) Montgomery has been incredibly supportive, and our administrative and research staff make the behind-the-scenes work possible. That kind of trust and collaboration is what allows big ideas to flourish. This award is a reflection not just of the research, but of the collaborative spirit that drives it.”