Margaret Anne Carter

Imagining a future: changing the landscape for third space professionals in Australian higher education institutions

ABSTRACT In the last decade there has been a shift in the discourses around professional staff in higher education that has been influenced by neoliberal agenda that focused on driving education reforms. Earlier discussions centring around nomenclature variations have progressed to those about creating and developing borderless professionals operating in the third space – a notional space where professional staff and academic staff with diverse and valuable skills work as equal professional partners on complex and multifaceted projects. This article looks at the evolution of the debates around professional staff. It considers how the notions of professionalism and professionalisation are being reconceptualised in the third space. Discussion progresses towards capability building and developmental opportunities of aspiring third space professional staff in higher education settings. Possible pathways of engaging with and empowering professional staff in designing their future careers and professional identities are considered. Building a community of research practices under the auspices of the Association for Tertiary Education Management (ATEM) and engaging postgraduate students in the university third space project work are proposed as potential areas for further research in the field of professional staff capability building.

A cross-cultural exploration of parental involvement and child-rearing beliefs in Asian cultures

Parental involvement (PI) and child-rearing beliefs were examined amongst parents whose children attended state-run kindergartens across Singapore. A total of 244 parents completed an online survey consisting of a Child-Rearing Beliefs Scale, a PI Scale, and demographic details. Results indicated respondents were generally low-income earners with high rates of bilingualism. Two-thirds of parents had enrolled their kindergarten children in extra classes, with half of parents indicating that academic achievement was their highest priority. Ethnic differences were noted, with Chinese parents showing less involvement at home and school and less emphasis on the development of creative and practical skills and conforming behaviors than parents from other Asian backgrounds. This effect was independent from the effects of gender, parental education, and income. These results confirm the importance parents place on academic achievement in Singapore, but also, along with, extend prior research to suggest that inter Asian differences exist.

TCK Professional Development for International School Teachers in China

In this paper we draw on a qualitative study of 21 focus groups at two international schools in China, to examine the professional development of international school teachers in response to the needs of third culture kids (TCKs). Comparing the perspectives of 42 teaching staff and 37 parents, this study presents new perspectives and insights in exploring whether teachers at international schools in China have the skills and competencies to be responsive to the needs of TCKs, and where gaps in their professional development may exist.

Complex collaboration champions: university third space professionals working together across borders

ABSTRACT In an age of global interconnectedness of people, cultures, technology and professions, within higher education, collaborations between university staff increase in complexity and traverse time and space. Global and local changes and challenges give rise to new and hybrid university professionals – third space professionals – often operating outside their predefined work portfolios on various collaborative projects. Analysing the literature on complex collaborations, the authors discuss three dimensions of collaborative engagements: first, culture in its local, national and global representations; second, integration between professions/occupations; and third, the level of interaction/engagement. Integrating these dimensions into a conceptual model, it is proposed that the university third space serves both as a portal between dimensions and as a vehicle for advancing cross-border collaborations. Third space professionals are likely candidates to assume the role of collaboration champions. Further research and development of the proposed model of university complex collaborations will enhance university workforce development, building staff capabilities and thus increasing organisational collaborative capital.

It is not about "being best in the world" … it is about "being best for the world"

This chapter focuses on the psychosocial non-cognitive elements of children’s early years learning, reported in the perceptions of educators, principals and teachers, working in Catholic Singapore preschools. The chapter commences with an introduction of the context for the study.

Do international school staff receive professional development training about third culture kids (TCKs)

This article empirically assesses the extent to which international school staff receive professional development training about third culture kids (TCKs). We argue that the needs of TCKs enrolled in international schools differ from those of non-expatriate children and that international school staff may require a specialized set of professional skills and competencies to effectively cater for the specific needs of TCKs in the classroom. Based on interviews with 115 respondents (34 teachers, 33 staff, and 48 parents) in three international schools in Asia, we draw on data from 25 focus groups conducted in Singapore and Shanghai. Evidence shows that no professional development training in relation to TCKs is provided specific to the international context in which staff are employed. Only surface level training appears to be offered in the form of tacit acceptance of information and rushing to cover ad-hoc and informal material but providing little content depth. Issues that are not adequately addressed include staff start-of-year induction, identity lifespan and cultural issues, pastoral care, TCK emotional wellbeing, international mindedness curriculum education, and TCK transitions via repatriation and reassignment. The study contributes to the extensive literature on expatriate training and development and global careers by positioning international school teachers and staff as expatriates engaged in international careers, whose professional development training enhances their effectiveness both on-the-job and while living and working abroad. We further add to extant literature on the career development of international school staff that, thus far, has excluded TCK professional development as a specific focus.