Description: Objective: The proposed round table discusses major features of VET and HRD related research across Europe, highlighting the tension between diverse patterns and common concern. The aim is to promote the debate about European VET and HRD by reviewing national evidence and initial comparative findings drawn from a new Cedefop project. A major objective of this project is to reveal the relationship between research and policy, thereby promoting the development of knowledge in the dialogue between researchers and users. Background: European research activities in the fields of VET and HRD have been largely pursued separately from one another. In a new project initiated by Cedefop as part of the European Research Overview (ERO), the two fields are considered in their joint national and European contexts. A survey of VET and HRD research in all EU member states is being compiled, in collaboration with a network national experts (ReferNet). This collective work involves a comparative analysis of research activities in the fields of VET and HRD, facilitated by applying a set of content descriptors. As a result, patterns of research will be identified in relation to clusters of countries. The outcomes of mapping are expected to feed into the discussion on how to assess the diversity of HRD/VET research profiles and priorities in various countries against the background of common challenges of learning and work in the European Union. Methodology: The round table offers highlights of the comparative analysis followed by an explorative discussion carried out by a panel group involving the following researchers: Chair: Barry Nyhan, Cedefop Presenter and rapporteur: Sabine Manning, Research Forum WIFO Berlin Panel participants: Krista Loogma. (Estonia), Loek Nieuwenhuis (Netherlands), Jim Stewart (UK), Petr Viceník (Cedefop) The discussion starts out with brief presentations, contrasting the European overview with the national situation in a number of selected countries (Estonia, the Netherlands and the UK). In each case, the presenter first sketches the general picture (profile of VET and HRD research activities - objectives, programmes and projects) and then responds to the following question: "Which are the main research centres dealing with the promotion of learning for work in your country and what orientations do they take in relation to VET and HRD?" This question is intended to highlight the diversity of research patterns in relation to a common concern. Furthermore, this question will enable us to proceed from the observation of actual research patterns to the consideration of research policies and future trends from European and national perspective. Conclusions: The round table will reveal the diversity of VET and HRD research across Europe in face of common policy challenges. It will link up with debates, going on in the context of the Lisbon process, on setting the European research agenda. In particular it will feed into the VETNET discussion, envisaged for this year's programme, on the potential contribution of VET related research to the development of VET. The proceedings of the round table session will be recorded and published on-line.