New publication by the working group on the topic of the digitization of agricultural advisors and adult educators

Elfriede Berger (external doctoral student) has published an article titled “Digitalization of Agricultural Advisors and Adult Educators: An Exploratory Qualitative Study in Austria” as part of her cumulative dissertation.

The study examines expected developments in the use of digital technologies in agricultural extension and adult education from the perspective of extension agents and adult educators. Methodologically, a focus group discussion with experts from Austrian agricultural education and advisory institutions was analyzed using structured content analysis based on the digi.kompP competency model. The results show that digitalization is fundamentally changing professional roles: advisors and adult educators are increasingly acting as content providers and media producers, switching flexibly between in-person and online formats. Differentiating target groups by educational level and digital literacy is essential. Artificial intelligence serves as a supplementary tool, not a substitute for human counseling. Hybrid formats and blended learning are considered forward-looking models. In practice, the digi.kompP model provides a framework for assessing competencies and identifying needs, which supports the design of target-group-specific educational offerings and contributes to the implementation of national and international strategies.

You can find the article here: https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2026.2726143