Annenberg School for Communications, Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work and USC Research and Innovation Co-host free USC dinner event on Friday, June 9

Researchers and scholars from four USC schools will come together to present key findings from “Mattering in the Margins” — a research study exploring connections among skateboarding, mental health and community — on Friday, June 9. The event will begin at 7pm at USC’s Montgomery Ross Fisher building.

The event will include a special video screening of the key findings from the study, as well as a panel discussion of scholars and skater-researchers, including:

• Zoë Corwin – Research Professor, Rossier School of Education
• Netftalie Williams – Assistant Professor, San Diego State University
• Rafael Williams – Professor and Social Worker, USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
• Alan Green – Professor, Rossier School of Education

The panel will explore a number of key takeaways from the study, including inclusivity, perseverance, and the mental health of skateboarders, which is affected by having to navigate poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia, and the stress from school, work and/or family.

“We learned a tremendous amount from the skateboarders who participated in the study – about how they care for themselves and for their community. Their insights come at a critical time when we’re seeing heightened mental health crises across the United States,” noted Zoë Corwin, the Principal Investigator for the USC Skate Study.

Neftalie Williams, a leading scholar on skateboarding and society, emphasized the potential of the study to influence how non-skaters think about this often-marginalized group: “Our research seeks to change narratives around skateboarding and share skaters’ wisdom. We believe that skaters’ knowledge can be useful to educators, civic leaders and non-profits — really anyone seeking to support the well-being of young people.”

USC Skate Studies’ Mattering in the Margins, an interdisciplinary participatory action research study, explored how Los Angeles-based skateboarders from diverse backgrounds make sense of societal constraints, cope with mental health challenges, capitalize on community resources, cultivate relationships, and thrive. Data includes video footage, still photos, and in-depth group reflections.

The study was funded by USC’s Office of the Provost and builds onto research conducted with a grant from the Skatepark Project.

RSVP’s are required for this free, dinnertime event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScoa4Wz1lIw_lv5kZiKZWVk2ljm-btZsoZYsA35ZDnqMTvr2g/viewform

USC’s Montgomery Ross Fisher Building is located at 669 W. 34^th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089.