Advancing third space research in higher education: building an agenda for impact

Thorpe and Partridge's (2024) scoping review of third space research in higher education mapped twenty-five years of scholarship, demonstrating how the concept has informed understandings of identity, collaboration, and changing academic and professional roles. The review identified gaps in a research base, dominated by descriptive case studies and individual identity constructs, limiting its influence on institutional strategies and policies. Building on these findings, this paper argues for a more ambitious research agenda that deepens and broadens an understanding of third space dynamics within academia. To advance the empirical base, six research challenges are proposed to guide sophisticated, holistic investigations in alignment with the contemporary needs and values of higher education. The next phase of third space research must shape institutional practices, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and address the opportunities of higher education. This is a call to action to advance the third space agenda through a shared commitment to meaningful change.