![Tirion Jenkins BA, MSc](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/298?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
Thesis: Creating 'safe spaces' for women through surfing: an exploration of restoration, reclamation and resistance in South Wales (Working Title)
Drawing from feminist cultural geography, my research explores the importance of inclusive spaces in recreational surfing. Focusing on a case study of women’s surf communities in Wales, my PhD thesis examines the work that goes into producing sites referred to as ‘safe spaces’.
By methodologically privileging the embodied, lived experiences of women who surf, this thesis draws out how gendered power dynamics are manifested spatially in the line up and beyond. I situate myself amongst this research as an activist, actor and academic in this space. What started from a wish to surf with other women, this PhD has inadvertently become a feminist project in both researching and performing tactics to (re)claim our place in blue space.
Given the increasing recognition of the ‘blue health’ benefits of our coastal and watery environments, this research highlights the role of inclusive spaces in enabling, empowering and encouraging equitable access to the outdoors.
Teaching
• Tirion is passionate about teaching alongside her studies and has assisted on field study visits to Los Angeles in 2020 & 2023 (Researching Contemporary issues in Human Geography) and North Wales 2022 (Geographies of Welsh identity). She has also led seminars on Developing Research Methods and Development Geographies.
• Tirion is confident writing and proofreading copy at a PhD level and has experience marking and assessing undergraduate work.
• Responsible for the creation of A-level content as part of the 'Cardiff Case Studies' project (2022) which involved mentoring five undergraduate students to plan, write, film and edit short videos on contemporary issues in human geography.
• Experienced in public engagement work around her research such as speaking on the Shaka Surf ‘Ocean Woman’ podcast (July 2023), delivering ‘Blue Health’ workshops at TYF Adventure (March 2022 & March 2023) and was invited to participate at the ‘Blue Mind’ symposium at The Wave in Bristol in November 2022. The purpose of this event was to facilitate knowledge exchange between research and practice around the topics of blue health, surf therapy and surfing to promote health.
Biography
2024
Successful recipient of scholarship from the ESRC for an Overseas Institutional Visit to RMIT University in Melbourne, to study under Rebecca Olive. During this visit I presented my work as part of the Social and Global Studies Centre seminar series
2022
Panel speaker, 'How to swim: Researching bodies in nature', QRSE Conference 2022 Durham University with Rebecca Olive, Kate Moles, Charlotte Bates and Ronan Foley
Invitee & participant, 'Blue Minds Symposium', hosted by The Wave Bristol and Bristol University
2021
(Start) PhD Social & Cultural Geography, Cardiff University, funded by the ESRC
MSc Social Science Research Methods, Distinction, Cardiff University, funded by the ESRC
Successful applicant of the ESRC Open Competition for research proposal, recevied full scholarship from the Economic and Social Research Council as part of the Wales Doctoral Training Partnership.
2019
Postgraduate Certificate Arts, Health & Wellbeing, University of South Wales (USW)
2013
World Arts & Cultures Major, Year Abroad, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
2012
BA Geography (International Programme), First Class Honours, University College London (UCL)
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- surfing
- gender
- Sports science and exercise
- Feminist theory
- blue health