Julie Hall: taking third space centre stage

Third space, while rightly celebrated as a vital engine for collaboration in higher education, brings with it also the risk of becoming no space at all. Although working in the margins and between the cracks can bolster change and act as a point of resistance, there is also a danger of retreat, defence, and invisibility. Julie contends that it is our role as third space professionals to push into the centre - to exercise agency, to take or seek out opportunities, to be visible. It’s not always easy, but to have an impact on decision-making, we have to be part of the conversation. If you’re invited to join a committee, say yes. If you learn about a new initiative, proactively offer how you and LD can help it succeed. If you get a new senior manager, request a meeting to talk about your service and its strategic alignment.  These can be difficult tasks to achieve, for many reasons, but all of them are easier with others. Work as a team, and find your tribe, whether that is through mailing lists or conferences. There will be people who share your ideas and ambitions, and who would love to work – and write – with you! The resources we mentioned Baume, D. (2023) My obituary for SEDA. Educational Developments 24(3), pp.5-7. Available from: https://www.seda.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ed-Devs-24.3.pdf Beetham, H. (2024) Imperfect offerings. Available from: https://helenbeetham.substack.com/  Jenny Erpenbeck - an overview. https://www.ndbooks.com/author/jenny-erpenbeck/  Meyer, J.H.F. and Land, R. (2003). 'Threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge: Linkages to ways of thinking and practising within the disciplines', in Rust, C. (ed.), Improving Student Learning: Improving Student Learning Theory and Practice - Ten Years On. Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development. And the chapter we talked about Hall, J. (2022) ‘Understanding and debating the third space’.  In McIntosh, E. and Nutt, D. (eds) The impact of the integrated practitioner in higher education: Studies in third space professionalism. Routledge.