The UNE Third Space Summit is a one-day event that brings together third space staff across campus to create positive change.

“Third space” is a term that describes anyone whose work isn’t captured by the traditional academic and professional staff categories – those who fall somewhere in between. These staff exist in every faculty and directorate at UNE, but often their work is invisible.

The Summit is a one-day event to bring these staff from across the university together to discuss experiences, establish community, explore our agency towards UNE 2025 and design new futures for our roles and work. The summit will follow an Appreciative Inquiry process, a strengths-based approach to designing change, and action for the future.

Not sure if you’re third space staff? You might be in the third space if:

• You are on a professional contract but serve an expertise function rather than, or as well as, an administrative, support or managerial function (e.g. project or initiative leadership , learning design, student success, librarians, counsellors etc);
• You are on a professional contract but undertake research or engage in evidence-based practice (similar roles as above);
• You are on an academic or professional contract but undertake forms of teaching not captured in the enterprise agreements (e.g. academic development, professional development, training, tutoring, mentoring, coaching etc);
• You are on an academic contract but undertake work outside the traditional teaching/research/admin categories (eg industry engagement, consultancy, professional practice, community engagement, research or creative work not captured by Non-Traditional Research Output (NTRO) categories etc);
• You are on a professional contract but undertake work in those categories that are not captured in the enterprise agreement or your position description;
• You are on an academic contract but are based in or come from a profession or industry and don’t undertake research; and
• You are on a common law contract but are not senior executive and/or undertake work in academic or expertise domains.

These are just some examples, there are many more ways to be third space.

The Third Space Summit will be held on Tuesday, 30 April in Room 224 (Education building) from 9.30am to 3pm. Please contact Sarah Thorneycroft on sthorne5@une.edu.au to RSVP as space is limited.