Challenges in researching as a third space professional
Start Date
26-3-2021 5:15 PM
End Date
26-3-2021 5:30 PM
Description
As the literature regarding professional services staff has increased in recent years, there has been more focus on the third space professional. Described by Whitchurch, (2017: 4) “in terms of the spaces they occupy, the knowledge they develop, the relationships they form, and the legitimacies and sources authority that they develop”. The third space professional within the university sector is crossing boundaries traditionally occupied by professional services or academic staff.
This presentation focuses on the challenges I have faced as a third space professional researching identity with my own organisation. I will describe the methodical approach I undertook using Holland et al's., (1998) key text: Identity and Agency in Cultural Worlds and examine how undertaking a Doctorate of Education as a professional services member of staff working as a third space professional has challenged my own identity.
I will present my research findings and offer suggestions about how universities can value those who work across the boundaries of higher education and how we can attempt to reimagine the binary divide that exists between professional services and academic staff. This research adds to the evolving nature of higher education.
Recommended Citation
Caldwell, J. (2021, March). Challenges in researching as a third space professional. Presented at the Postgraduate Conference on Interdisciplinary Learning: Re-Imagining Postgraduate Studies in the 21st Century and Beyond. Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Challenges in researching as a third space professional
As the literature regarding professional services staff has increased in recent years, there has been more focus on the third space professional. Described by Whitchurch, (2017: 4) “in terms of the spaces they occupy, the knowledge they develop, the relationships they form, and the legitimacies and sources authority that they develop”. The third space professional within the university sector is crossing boundaries traditionally occupied by professional services or academic staff.
This presentation focuses on the challenges I have faced as a third space professional researching identity with my own organisation. I will describe the methodical approach I undertook using Holland et al's., (1998) key text: Identity and Agency in Cultural Worlds and examine how undertaking a Doctorate of Education as a professional services member of staff working as a third space professional has challenged my own identity.
I will present my research findings and offer suggestions about how universities can value those who work across the boundaries of higher education and how we can attempt to reimagine the binary divide that exists between professional services and academic staff. This research adds to the evolving nature of higher education.