About

Sexuality and change – a new training program

Sexuality Policy Watch will be hosting a training program focusing on sexuality research.  The program differs from other non-academic capacity-building models in this area, as it will not focus strictly on sexuality theory and research per se, but rather aims at exploring the various linkages and gaps that exist between sexuality theorizing and research in sexuality and social and policy change.  The program is designed to examine how theory, research and policy can be connected most effectively in order to contribute to meaningful social change.

The content areas covered by course under the general heading of sexuality and sexual rights will potentially encompass a broad range of topics such as:  HIV/AIDS, LGBT rights, laws and policies affecting transgender persons, abortion and contraception, sexuality education, and sex work.  The course will examine challenges experienced in connecting theory and practice and translating research into “change”. It will explore exemplary cases of both successful and failed attempts to bring about social and policy change, and will provide the opportunity for people engaged in policy formation to share their experiences with respect to how sexuality research is or is not used in the front lines of struggles for human rights and social justice in relation to sexuality issues.

Location: The first training program was held in Rio de Janeiro March 18-24, 2013 and the second one will take place in Buenos Aires August 23-27. 

Faculty:  The resource persons involved in the training program will be members of the SPW Advisory Group and a range of other close collaborators.

Candidates’ profile:  

  • Students and professionals engaged in sexuality research (broadly defined along the lines drawn above) either in in academic settings or advocacy-oriented organizations.
  • Preference will be given to applicants from, or developing research in, the Global South.
  • Candidates must be fluent in English

Number of trainees:  15-20

SPW Profile

Sexuality Policy Watch (SPW) is a global forum composed of researchers and activists from a wide range of countries and regions of the world. Launched in 2002 as the International Working Group on Sexuality and Social Policy (IWGSSP), in 2006 the forum changed its name to Sexuality Policy Watch.

Since its establishment, SPW has undertaken many projects: a global research study on trends in sexuality, policies and politics; political activism; building strategic partnerships with social actors working on sexual rights in key policy arenas; and publishing policy analyses and other materials to address issues of sexuality politics.

SPW also participates in global policy arenas and relevant initiatives directly relating to sexuality, sexual and reproductive rights, gender, LGBT activism and HIV/AIDS.

SPW has two secretariats, one based in Brazil at Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (ABIA) and the other based at the Center for Gender, Sexuality and Health in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.

This training program is supported through a grant from the Ford Foundation.

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