Yasmin Belhadj tries out some tricks at Hyde Park skate park, Leeds, watched by other members of the University of Leeds Skate Soc. Photo: Mark Bickerdike/ University of Leeds.
Yasmin Belhadj tries out some tricks at Hyde Park skate park, Leeds, watched by other members of the University of Leeds Skate Soc. Photo: Mark Bickerdike/ University of Leeds. A unique piece of audio artwork designed to encourage people into skateboarding has been created by a University of Leeds researcher. On International Women's Day (IWD) Dr Dani Abulhawa, Lecturer in Contemporary Applied Performance at the University's School of Performance and Cultural Industries , has created the artwork to help inspire women and girls into the often male-dominated skating scene, and to help confident skateboarders be effective "allies" for new skaters. It comes as other researchers at the University have published work on how to make women and girls feel safe in public parks - and as IWD 2023 urges people to go beyond "equal opportunities" and embrace equity. Dr Abulhawa said: "Skateparks can be very daunting places - and not only for beginners or younger people. Skateparks tend to be dominated by the fastest and most confident skateboarders, which can make it hard for some people to feel comfortable taking a go, interacting with others, or even just entering the park.
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