'Girl' Skateboarding Cultures (2015-2019)

Drawing upon a diverse range of current movements within skateboarding, this research looks at how self-identifying female and gender non-binary skateboarders (in particular) enact a range of feminist and post-feminist politics, how they broaden identity categories around gender and sexuality, and how their performances, social dynamics and occupation of space inscribes these politics in practice. The broad scope of the project explores how 'femininity' as an identity category might be expanded and understood as a part of skateboarding culture.

My research focuses on:

1. Professional and industry skateboarders conceptions of feminism

2. Grass-roots ‘girl’ groups – The DIY set-up of female-oriented skateboard crews and groups and their political intentions

3. The history and physical culture of skateboarding as a gendered activity

4. Philanthropic skateboarding projects and their relationship to somatic practice

This research was developed into a monograph, published by Routledge in 2020: Skateboarding and Femininity: Gender, Space-Making and Expressive Movement.