Postgraduate Research Degrees
The Graduate Program in Sexual Health offers a multi-professional, multi-disciplinary approach to research in sex, sexuality and sexual health with a lifespan perspective of healthy sexuality.
Students may enter the research program (at Masters or PhD level) directly, or after completing coursework Masters level studies. The research and course works components of the graduate program complement and inform each other.
The Sexual Health Research Team is part of the Aging and Human Development Faculty Research Group.
Research students are supervised by a multi-professional multi-disciplinary group of academics, sexologists and sexual health consultants. The program also maintains links with professional bodies and practicing professionals. Research supervision is provided by face to face and email communication, and a bi-monthly sex research group meeting for collaboration and learning. We are currently developing an on-line site for international collaborative research and student supervision
Collaboration with national and international experts is important to the success of the program. National and international collaborators assist us in the development and supervision of the research component of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health. These experts bring a unique global multi professional and multi disciplinary richness to the research process. It is our view that no single program, or academic institution, can offer the range of expertise needed for successful supervision of all sexual health related research projects. We therefore have a policy of recruiting the most suitable people to guide and supervise research projects, wherever they may be located.
The research in the program is focused on sexual health issues relevant to the ‘real world’ of sex and sexuality. The emphasis is on investigating issues that directly impact on sex, sexuality and sensuality, rather than purely theoretical studies.
Our research is built around a lifespan perspective of healthy sexuality. Areas of research include:
- The biological and psychosocial aspects of the sexual response and sexual arousal through the lifecycle
- The impact of disability and disease on sexuality, intimacy and the sexual response cycle
- Sexuality in older adults, information seeking, sexual behavior and sexual function and dysfunction
- Sex and Gender: Especially the cultural understanding. norms and management of gender identity disorder and transgender issues with a lifespan perspective
- Sexuality and Religiosity, especially the effect of religiosity on sexual risk taking behaviour.
- Sex Education across the lifespan. Sex education in special populations including persons with a disability.
To apply for entry to the Masters by Research Program, students require an undergraduate degree. For the PhD program, the requirement is a Masters degree or an undergraduate degree with Honours.
Prospective students are encouraged to develop a project based on their own interests, and approach the Academic Coordinator, who will identify suitable supervision. Alternatively, students may undertake projects that offered by academic staff within the Program.
The Academic Coordinator () and the deputy coordinator () can provide details.