After decades of neglect, adult numeracy and mathematics education are coming to be recognised as worthy of serious research but the area is beset by conceptual difficulties. Adult numeracy and mathematics may at last be "on the educational research map", but where exactly are they on the map? This article explores the question of what is specific about research in adult numeracy and mathematics education. It reviews ways of conceptualising adult numeracy and mathematics education for research purposes and considers the implications of these conceptualisations for research and for the development of the field.