Joyce Connon OBE

Joyce Connon pictured outside WEA offices, Riddle’s Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh © WEA Riddle’s Court Photography Group

Adult education leader and WEA (Workers' Educational Association) Scottish Secretary, 1991-2012

Joyce Connon grew up in Drylaw, a council housing estate in North Edinburgh. In 1978 she joined the staff of the Workers' Educational Association South East Scotland District which had its headquarters in Edinburgh.

At that time WEA in Scotland was organised through 3 Scottish Districts: North, West and South East Scotland. Joyce's first job was in finance and payroll, but as a member of a small District team she was involved in all aspects of the charity's adult education provision, including classes for unemployed people, people's story work, retirement education and the WEA Fringe Summer School. Following a brief spell as Tutor Organiser, 1988/89, Joyce was promoted to the post of District Secretary, and then in 1991 after the merger of the three Districts, she became the Scottish Association's first WEA Scottish Secretary – a position she held until her retirement in March 2012.

As WEA Scottish Secretary Joyce ably led the Association through some very challenging times. She maintained WEA's close relationship with Newbattle Abbey College serving on the Board of Governors for 20 years, co-founded Learning Link Scotland, and represented adult education on a variety of national, UK and international committees and ministerial groups. She also continued a hands-on involvement in some very innovative adult education projects, including the Peoples of Edinburgh Multicultural Project which she developed in partnership with Helen Clark of City of Edinburgh Council Museums Service, and the introduction of the Danish Job Rotation model to the UK.

Joyce was awarded an OBE for services to adult education and community learning in 2004.