Responding to evidence of gendered and cultural barriers to participation in surfing for young women and girls from diverse backgrounds in coastal Victoria
The SheShaka project responds to evidence of gendered and cultural barriers to participation in surfing for young women and girls from diverse backgrounds in coastal Victoria.
The project will promote gender and health equity alongside physical activity, mental wellbeing, and social connection by engaging young women and girls who surf in an innovative, co-productive participatory action research project.
Using PhotoVoice, participants and researchers will co-produce an exhibition and short film focused on the experiences of young women and girls in surfing.
Project partners, Surfing Victoria and Brophy Family and Youth Services, are enthusiastic about applying project findings for immediate impact.
This project is supported by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute's 2022 Seed Funding Round.
University-based researchers
Associate Professor Karen Block, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Gemma Tarpey-Brown, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Dr Natalie Galea, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning
Dr Kristen Smith, Indigenous Studies Unit
Associate Professor Georgina Sutherland, Disability Health Unit
External collaborators
Adam Robertson, Surfing Victoria
Cate Keane, Brophy Family and Youth Services
For information about this project, please contact:
Dr Karen Block
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Email: keblock@unimelb.edu.au