The Politics of Parkour: Transnationalism, Youth and Social Policy

This is a project funded by the British Academy to develop an international collaborative research project exploring public policy responses to an emergent urban-based lifestyle sport: parkour. The media depict parkour participants as reckless risk-seeking hedonists; yet existing academic research has described it as a transgressive cultural practice that challenges forms of embodiment and the uses and meanings of public space. Policymakers and educationalists are recognising parkour's potential to engage young people, providing managed risk-taking that furthers self-discipline, creativity and healthy lifestyles. Research partners have been identified in the UK, France and Canada to share information and research on the development of parkour in these countries and to develop further research into aspects of the culture, governance and perceived social benefits of this rapidly growing activity.

The project will initially be a collaboration between Dr Belinda Wheaton (University of Brighton), Dr Mike Atkinson (University of Toronto) and Dr Florian Lebreton (Université Européenne de Bretagne - Rennes 2).

Research grants

British Academy have awarded £4,317 to develop comparative research on the institutionalisation of parkour. Project entitled: 'The politics of parkour: transnationalism, youth and social policy' (2010).

The Brighton and Sussex Community Knowledge Exchange have awarded £10,000 for a project entitled: 'Documenting parkour: understanding the social benefits of a lifestyle sport'. This explores the development of parkour culture in Sussex (2008).

Publications

Gilchrist, P. and Wheaton, B. (2011) 'Lifestyle sport, public policy and youth engagement: examining the emergence of parkour', International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 3(1), pp.109-131.

Research poster

Entered into the University of Brighton's research poster compeition 2011. Thanks to Andy Day www.kiell.com for use of the photos.