The tensions for parents, educators and children in building a sustainable culture of ethical and respectful relationships early in life. This project will explore how parents, educators and primary age children understand sexual knowledge and develop skills in ethical and respectful relationships. This will involve analysing policy and curricula documents, interviews and focus groups with parents, educators and children from South Australia, Victoria and NSW.
Elucidating the increasing demand for genital cosmetic surgery among girls and women in Australia. This project will identify the psychosocial context of and public communication about the dramatic rise in female genital cosmetic surgery in Australia. Results will contribute to programs for sexuality and body image education, public health campaigns about normal genital diversity, and professional development for doctors and beauty therapists.
Locating LGBTIQ+ youth in the archive: Telling new stories for belonging. This project aims to produce the first study of LGBTIQ+ youth in Australia’s past and investigate what these histories mean to LGBTIQ+ youth today. We will generate new knowledge of Australian LGBTIQ+ history and links between historical knowledge and wellbeing in relation to LGBTIQ+ youth. Working with LGBTIQ+ youth we will also develop new archival storytelling techniques, theorising archives as ‘laboratories of belongin ....Locating LGBTIQ+ youth in the archive: Telling new stories for belonging. This project aims to produce the first study of LGBTIQ+ youth in Australia’s past and investigate what these histories mean to LGBTIQ+ youth today. We will generate new knowledge of Australian LGBTIQ+ history and links between historical knowledge and wellbeing in relation to LGBTIQ+ youth. Working with LGBTIQ+ youth we will also develop new archival storytelling techniques, theorising archives as ‘laboratories of belonging’. In doing so, the project forges links between cultural studies of storytelling, LGBTIQ+ youth studies and Australian history. Benefits include innovations in reparative historical methodologies, new resources for the GLAM, youth and education sectors and improvements in LGBTIQ+ youth wellbeing.Read moreRead less
Partner choice and sexual behaviour among gay and bisexual men. Current social and political debate about what constitutes legitimate relationships hinge on the status of same-sex relationships. Partner choice is key to understanding individuals' sexual behaviour and the relationships they develop in response. Yet gay and bisexual men's (GBM) sexual partner choices have not been researched. The project aims to describe types of partner choices among GBM and how these affect the specific sex prac ....Partner choice and sexual behaviour among gay and bisexual men. Current social and political debate about what constitutes legitimate relationships hinge on the status of same-sex relationships. Partner choice is key to understanding individuals' sexual behaviour and the relationships they develop in response. Yet gay and bisexual men's (GBM) sexual partner choices have not been researched. The project aims to describe types of partner choices among GBM and how these affect the specific sex practices, including risk behaviours, in which they engage and their style and pattern of relationships. It also aims to identify the contextual and individual factors associated with these choices. This evidence is expected to inform current debate and help improve health promotion and relationship support work among GBM.Read moreRead less
Muscling Up: Australian men, sexualisation and body image enhancment. Australian men are under increasing pressure to appear fit, with psychologists and others identifying body dissatisfaction, depression, and illegal supplement use as evidence of a 'crisis'. However, no research has explored men's emotional and physical investments in injunctions to be 'healthy', or relatively new opportunities in consumer culture for men to style the body. This qualitative project aims to explore men's motivat ....Muscling Up: Australian men, sexualisation and body image enhancment. Australian men are under increasing pressure to appear fit, with psychologists and others identifying body dissatisfaction, depression, and illegal supplement use as evidence of a 'crisis'. However, no research has explored men's emotional and physical investments in injunctions to be 'healthy', or relatively new opportunities in consumer culture for men to style the body. This qualitative project aims to explore men's motivations for engaging in body image-enhancing practices. It expects to provide insight that will benefit those engaged in advocating healthy lifestyles to men.Read moreRead less
Drug enhancement and experimentation. This project aims to research the chemical practices of sexual and gender minorities in Australia and investigate how health agencies have sought to deal with them. Drugs are increasingly and widely used in pharmaceutical markets and lifestyle practices. As pharmaceutical markets expand, the distinction between therapeutic and illicit drugs becomes unclear. Drug consumption can give rise to serious dangers in certain circumstances. This project is expected t ....Drug enhancement and experimentation. This project aims to research the chemical practices of sexual and gender minorities in Australia and investigate how health agencies have sought to deal with them. Drugs are increasingly and widely used in pharmaceutical markets and lifestyle practices. As pharmaceutical markets expand, the distinction between therapeutic and illicit drugs becomes unclear. Drug consumption can give rise to serious dangers in certain circumstances. This project is expected to better understand drugs and medication use and improve public health services.Read moreRead less