Autoethnography, Feminisms And The Outdoor Industry: A Theoretical Approach To Practice

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Katie Coley Wall (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Tracy Goodson-Espy

Abstract: Women are underrepresented in the outdoors from participants to top-level executives. In addition, there is a divide between feminism (theory) and the outdoor industry (practice). Seeking to bridge this gap, female life experiences will be situated using autoethnography within a poststructural feminist lens. These experiences will be analyzed through the writings of Michel Foucault, power and poststructural feminism; Gayatri Spivak, marginality and postcolonialism; and Sara Ahmed, materiality and material feminism. The second portion of this research project moves from the perspective of a female working in the outdoors to the male-identifying position. There are men in the outdoor industry who are disinterested in the gender gap; however, some are interested, have been left out of inclusion discussions, and are fearful about implementing strategies for change. A survey was constructed and administered seeking male practitioners’ perceptions, practices, and strategies in regards to inclusion. An analysis of the survey data and a literature review, which sought inclusion strategies and ideas from other industries, resulted in the outlining of specific and practical strategies for men who wish to make the outdoor industry more inclusive.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Wall, K. (2018). "Autoethnography, Feminisms And The Outdoor Industry: A Theoretical Approach To Practice." Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2018
Keywords
Outdoor industry, feminisms, autoethnography, theoretical, practice

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