SkateCER Lab leads and fosters opportunities to explore how skateboarders can constructively inform and creatively contribute to building safer, more creative, playful, inclusive, healthier and sustainable cities and public spaces.  Relevant areas include in leisure and tourism development, in the fields of the skate industry, plus in sport, health and sustainability, and in programs and initiatives for empowering youth, women and other under-recognised and marginalised populations. 

SkateCER also creates opportunities for skateboarders to engage with researchers from fields such as sociology, public art, design, architecture and urban planning. SkateCER is also passionate about bringing emerging leaders and over-looked populations into welcoming spaces to gain an industry presence, mentoring and career-building insights. Equity for diverse genders and sexualities are also at the forefront of our goals and aims.

SkateCER Lab is also one of only a handful of women-led skate initiatives worldwide that draws on  both lived experiences in the skate community and skate research. SkateCER was launched in 2024 as part of Dr Indigo Willing's fellowship at SSSHARC at The University of Sydney.  A skateboarder for almost 15 years, she has seen skateboarding shift from being a subculture engaging youth and adults on the margins to now also becoming an Olympic Sport. 

Skateparks and spots to skate have traditionally been 'quarantined' to areas that are isolating and have not always been inclusive of different users and abilities. However, more culturally vibrant cities under progressive leadership are beginning to embrace and invest in skateboarding in creative and inclusive ways. This includes from grassroots efforts as well as large-scale projects and legacy planning as a part of the Olympic Games.

As global skate scenes are beginning to demonstrate, cities and even some of the 'most hardest to reach' locations in the world can be successfully activated into safer, inclusive and vibrant spaces by skaters. SkateCER aims to place a spotlight on how skateboarders and others in action sports with roots in street cultures (e.g. roller skating, parkour, WCMX and BMX) can enrich public spaces and city life. SkateCER also creates events and occasions to highlight what skate communities and others are doing well, and how they can also keep improving together.

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