A project emphasising the importance of the role of women in the renewable energy sector - explored through the medium of dance and film - will be hosted by the University of Hull from this weekend.
Turning the Tide will feature in the campus’ Brynmor Jones Library exhibition space, giving students, academics and parents the opportunity to view what is described as a stunning art project.
Through an exciting partnership with the Women’s 100 Movement, a dance project commemorating 100 years of female suffrage in 2028, Turning The Tide aims to tell a different story about the role of women in industry past, present and future - by making it beautiful, as well as functional. The aim is to attract more women into the new industry, which has such a strong base in the Humber region.
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A total of 15 ‘angels of the north’ express the power, beauty, strength and potential of the offshore wind industry. Several of the ‘angels’ are women who work in or around the industry already, and are filmed in locations around the Humber, including The Deep, the Humber Bridge, Hull Minster and Hessle’s Aura Innovation Centre as well as at the Siemens wind turbine factory.
Director and professional dancer Fred Garland of the Hull-based Tenfoot Dance Company, who choreographed the project, said that Turning The Tide has been a great success in bringing together community and industry to highlight some of the challenges faced within industry.
“My mission was to tell the story of this future-oriented industry in a creative way,” she said. “Through dance and movement, I wanted to explore the story of this new source of power on our shores, and highlight the opportunities available for women to be part of it.
“I am delighted that we get a second opportunity to showcase this project in the beautiful gallery space of the Brynmor Jones Library.”
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The exhibition, which was previously on display at the Aura Innovation Centre, was very well received by the public and provided the audience with a new and innovative way to explore diversity in industry.
Part-funded by Humber Science Festival 2023, and launched during it, it allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the dancers, quite literally, and features some behind the scenes insights into the project. The six-week long exhibition features a timetable of workshops for SEN groups, higher education, further education and primary schools.
Prof Becky Huxley-Binns, pro-vice-chancellor for education at the University of Hull, has been a huge supporter of the project and was one of the dancers in the film.
She told how Turning the Tide brings a different perspective to the importance of girls studying STEM subjects.
“It embraces creativity and art to tell the importance of the STEM journey<” she said. “The dance, film and exhibition should inspire people to consider a career in the energy sector as we work towards meeting net zero targets. We hope it inspires women and girls to consider educational pathways to embrace STEM and regard it as a viable career option for them.
“The number of girls studying STEM drops so much at the age of 16, and we see that downward trend into their future careers. But the STEM world is inclusive and diverse, exciting and world changing, as are the range of courses and programmes we offer at the University of Hull. We are delighted to be involved in this very important project.”
The will be on display to the public from Saturday, September 9 until Friday, October 20.