Log in
The research of Dr Rebecca Langlands (Department of Classics, University of Exeter) into sexual identities, choices and behaviours both ancient and modern has informed a pioneering approach to improving young people's well-being and sexual health. Working with schools, museums and charities, this methodology, which involves showing young people historical `erotic' objects from museum holdings, has had a positive impact on young people's mental and physical wellbeing, personal identity, social skills, personal resilience, confidence, sexual health and life chances. Its success has attracted further investment, and influenced sex education policy discussion. It has also enhanced the role of regional museums in effecting social change and well-being, informed debate on the relationship between the health and cultural sectors, created new economically beneficial partnerships, and shaped museum policy.
The research featured in this impact case study was carried out by Dr. Claire Hines, Darren Kerr, Dr. Donna Peberdy and Dr. Mark de Valk. Their work has influenced creative practice and cultural expression, contributed to the creative economy, encouraged knowledge transfer, and has been part of wider discourses that have helped to inform on-going public debate concerning sex and sexuality on screen, such as research-informed objections to Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 - more colloquially known as the `Extreme Porn Bill' <www.backlash-uk.org.uk>.
Research undertaken by Professor Simon Szreter on sexual attitudes and behaviour between 1918 and 1963 was published as a co-authored monograph by Cambridge University Press. The book attracted significant policy and media attention, including features on popular Radio 4 programmes and in the national broadsheet and tabloid daily press. It was also long-listed for a major national literary prize. The success of the book and views expressed by the journalists in their reviews indicate that the book's novel findings and challenging interpretations have had an important influence in changing widely-held stereotyped attitudes towards older generations and their sex lives.
James Davidson's research has overturned a decades-old consensus about the nature of sexual identity and same sex relations in Ancient Greece. The research has been communicated to wider publics through print and online media, popular publications and public events. The public interest in and recognition of the research testify to the impact of the research on the public's consciousness. It has particular resonance for GLBT communities who have embraced the arguments put forward as justifications for same sex marriage equality.
Research at Queen Margaret University (QMU) by Professor Ian Rivers identified issues facing LGBT young people and same-sex raised children in UK education. Rivers was the only academic member of a group formed by the Scottish Government to recommend ways of tackling negative and discriminatory attitudes towards LGBT people in Scotland. The Scottish Government implemented many of the group's recommendations. Rivers' research had an impact on (1) public policy and services in education, (2) schools and teachers as educational practitioners, (3) health and welfare of LGBT young people and same-sex raised children, and (4) society, culture, and creativity, and public policy and services, beyond Scotland.
Mowlabocus' research (2006-present) on gay men's social-media-use practices and new sexual-risk behaviours has led to new understandings of the role of media in health interventions. It has also led to changes in the health promotion and intervention practices of sexual health charities including the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), as well as in statutory services, including those offered within Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust, which covers an area with the highest UK percentage LGBT population and a very high incidence of HIV diagnosis and infection. These changes include, in the case of THT, the development and use of a new information website and intervention toolkit — designed to decrease the spread of HIV amongst those engaged in unsafe behaviours — which is being used in training for its staff across its 31 regional offices in the UK.
Professor Nick Mai researched the mobilities and vulnerabilities of young men, women and transgender people, including minors, working in the sex industry in the UK, EU and internationally. His findings show that most young migrants decide to work in the sex industry, which they consider less exploitative than other sectors. They also show that anti-trafficking initiatives exacerbate the vulnerability of migrant sex workers by enforcing restrictive migration policies and the criminalisation of sex work. Mai's research impacted on public debates, policymaking and services, which as a result now recognize trafficking as distinct from sex work and specifically target the needs of migrant sex workers.
Jessica Ringrose's research on young people, social media and sexuality has helped raise awareness nationally and internationally about the implications of new media for young people's relationships, self-image and physical and emotional well-being and safety. Studying digital-age phenomena such as `sexting' and `slut-shaming', Ringrose has attracted substantial but overwhelmingly sensitive press coverage and sparked serious public discussion on difficult issues. She has influenced national and third sector guidelines on sex and relationship education and on internet controls and her work has underpinned resources for schools. She has advised on a series of government reports and inspired a very influential speech by Diane Abbott MP on the sexualisation of society.