Emily Ankers

Health and Wellbeing (2021 cohort)

I would very much call myself a pr-academic. During my MRes focusing on 'Everyday' Women's Experiences of Rock Climbing (1970 - 2020), I barely scratched the surface when trying to understand how women experience climbing culture, spaces and community. A key finding was that women tend not to engage with climbing media and as a result I founded Beta Magazine, an online magazine focused on the female experience but inclusive of all.

On finishing my MRes I was invited to be part of the research team working on the Your Movement Matters project at Leeds Beckett University commissioned by Mountain Training UK and Ireland, seeking to understand participant demographics in walking and climbing activities of all levels.

My PhD will explore ideas surrounding identity, intersectionality, climbing and outdoors culture, wellbeing and embodiment.

My undergraduate degree is a BA in History from the University of Leeds. I completed my MRes focusing on 'Everyday' Women's Experiences of Rock Climbing (1970 - 2020) at Leeds Beckett University under the supervision of Dr Beccy Watson and Dr Carol Osborne.

I am Co-Founder and Editor of Beta Magazine, Co-Network Coordinator of the Women in Climbing and Mountaineering Network (WiCaM) and volunteer member of the British Mountaineering Council's Equity Steering Group. I am a keen climber, enjoying bouldering, trad and sport climbing.