Inside the Third Space

In this special episode, the Inside the Third Space team reflects on how the podcast began, what they have learned across a year of conversations, and how their growing community is shaping third space identity at UNSW. They revisit key moments from past guests, unpack shared challenges and light-bulb insights, and look ahead to strengthening cross-faculty collaboration. Their message for fellow third spacers is clear: connection matters, stay curious, and keep building the work together.

Our guest is Dr Neda Chepinchikj, implementation manager for English language development at UNSW. Drawing on her background in applied linguistics and years supporting students with English as an additional language, Neda reflects on working at the intersection of teaching, research, and institutional strategy. She speaks about navigating the central–faculty divide, building trust with academics, and the collaborative labour behind embedding language development across programs. For those finding their place in the third space, her message is steady: know what the work demands, embrace the variety, and stay patient — real impact takes time.

Our guest is Aaron Saint-James, Research Officer and co-founder of Diversified at UNSW. Drawing on his experiences as a mature-age, neurodivergent student and professional, Aaron reflects on navigating higher education from the margins and creating pathways for inclusion and change. He speaks about the instability of casual work, the hidden weight of invisible labour, and the purpose he’s found in connecting community through equity and neuro-inclusion. For anyone finding their footing in the third space, his message is clear: don’t wait for the system to make space for you — carve your own.

Our guest is Emina Abroon, Educational Developer in the Faculty of Law and Justice at UNSW. With experience across IT, educational technology, and course design, Emina reflects on her path through multiple “third space” roles across UNSW and Western Sydney University. She discusses the challenges of being seen as “just the ed tech person,” the importance of blending pedagogy with technology, and the value of networks and community in shaping identity. For newcomers to the third space, her advice is simple: explore widely, ride the wave, and find where you fit.

Our guest is Matthew Oxley, Media Producer and Trainer in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at UNSW. With a background in acting and filmmaking, Matt now supports academics and professionals to share their expertise through media. He reflects on the role of audiovisual technologies in teaching and the value of embracing the “third space”, being aware, authentic, and comfortable in the middle ground between academics and students.

On this episode our guest is Sarah Hamdan, an Education Service Librarian at UNSW. Discover how Sarah bridges teaching, support, and equity to better serve diverse student needs, emphasising collaboration, inclusion, and the need to challenge systems to be more responsive and human-centred. 

Join host Neil Lawrence, educational developer at UNSW Sydney, in conversation with Andréa Ferreira, a senior education developer (PVCE). A former academic and Latin American historian, Andréa shares her journey into the third space, reflecting on tutor support, mentorship, and trust-building with academics. Drawing on experiences from Brazil, the US, and Australia, she highlights the value of relational work and being a “bridge-builder.” Her advice for new third space professionals? Be a sponge—absorb everything to understand the culture and make meaningful connections.

Our guest for episode 5 is James Bedford, Educational Specialist in AI at UNSW College. James shares his journey from creative writing to educational technology, and how he navigates the third space between academia, admin, and student support. He reflects on the challenges of visibility and recognition, and the importance of collaboration in a fast-evolving role.

Our guest this time is Samadhi Driscoll, Nexus Program Lead at UNSW Sydney. Samadhi shares how her background in education and psychology fuels her innovative approach to fostering collaboration and managing diverse projects. We explore the unique role third-space professionals play in bridging academic and professional perspectives to drive agility and lasting impact in universities today. 

On this episode our guest is Natalie Gelche, a Senior Education Developer at UNSW. Discover how Natalie navigates the challenges of being a non-academic in an academic world, the impact of the pandemic on her role, and the importance of embracing AI in education.

On this episode we are joined by Fiona Nicolson, manager of the Medicine and Health Education Development Unit at UNSW. She shares her journey and insights into the third space, her passion for curriculum development, and the challenges of time management and effective communication.

On this episode, we are joined by Lucy Jellema, an educational developer for equity at PVCE at UNSW Sydney. Lucy shares her unique role in supporting teaching staff to help students from low socio-economic backgrounds, discusses her journey through various levels of education, and touches on mental health issues among third space professionals.