Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society

Considering your PhD? The Interconnect Project is offering a PhD scholarship as part of our Health Experiences Survey, examining the health and wellbeing of people with innate variations of s*x characteristics (IVSCs) - also known as differences of s*x development, or inters*x variations.

If you have a background in sociology, psychology, public health, health promotion, policy or systems science or a related field, and ideally, experience in quantitative research, this is your chance to work with a world-leading team of experts in IVSC health and wellbeing.

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/work/lgbtiq-health/interconnect-health-research

ARCSHS' Dr Ruby Grant will be part of the upcoming Bi+ Pride Victoria Bi+ Health Webinar, as part of Bi+ Health Month, on Tuesday 17 March, 12pm-1pm - register now!

https://events.humanitix.com/lunch-and-learn-bi-health

A new article in The Conversation Australia + NZ from Dr Alexandra James and Dr Andrea Waling explores Bridgerton’s portrayal of s*x education in Regency England, and how things have - and haven’t - changed for parents trying to talk to their kids about s*x.

https://theconversation.com/what-bridgertons-pinnacle-tells-us-about-s*x-talk-today-276504

Download our 'Beyond 'The Talk'' report, supporting parents and carers to talk to their kids about s*x, relationships and consent:

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/work/beyond-the-talk

Congratulations to all the many people who worked and fought for last week's bill in Victorian Parliament protecting inters*x children from medically unnecessary and safely deferrable interventions until they are able to choose for themselves.

We especially acknowledge the decades-long work and commitment from leading inters*x advocates Tony Briffa and Morgan Carpenter of InterAction for Health and Human Rights.

It was a privilege for ARCSHS Director Prof Adam Bourne, along with Research Fellow and policy advisor to Equality Australia and the Victorian Pride Lobby, Dr Sean Mulcahy, to join inters*x and LGBTIQA+ advocates and parliamentarians for the signing of this landmark bill.

Announcing the lineup for our half-day forum on March 19!

In addition to a keynote from Prof Catherine Donovan, the event will feature:
* Starlady (Zoe Belle Gender Collective Inc)
* Belinda O'Connor (Rainbow Health Australia)
* Dr Sophie Hindes, Dr Sarah Vrankovich and Dr Shane Worrell (ARCSHS)
* Dr Jessica Ison (La Trobe ReGEN)

Join us for this unique event, bringing together leading researchers, practitioners and policy experts in q***r family, domestic and s*xual violence. Registrations essential!

March 19, 3-6pm, La Trobe City Campus (with light refreshments from 6pm - 7pm.)

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/challenging-heteronormativity-in-family-domestic-and-s*xual-violence-policy-tickets-1982473818558

❤️ Get a sneak preview of findings from our eighth SSASH survey, with a webinar hosted by Curtin University's RSE Project, featuring Prof Jen Power!

Thurs 26 March, 7pm:

Relationships & S*xuality Education in Schools: 8th National Survey of Secondary Students and S*xual Health Join the RSE Project for this after-school webinar with Professor Jennifer Power from La Trobe University!

Join us for a half-day forum bringing together leading researchers, practitioners and policy experts in q***r family, domestic and s*xual violence.

Featuring a keynote from Durham University's Prof Catherine Donovan, and speakers from Rainbow Health Australia, Zoe Belle Gender Collective Inc, La Trobe's ReGEN and from us at ARCSHS!

March 19, 3-7pm, La Trobe City Campus

https://www.latrobe.edu.au/events/all/challenging-heteronormativity-in-fsdv-policy

Australia's longest-running and largest LGBTIQA+ youth survey is now open!

In Our Words will be our fifth time running this survey, and we need LGBTIQA+ young people (ages 14-21) to tell us about their health, wellbeing, lives, challenges and joys!

Results from this survey - funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing - will help inform policy, advocacy, service providers, health professionals and more about the needs of LGBTIQA+ young people, and how to help them flourish. Our major population surveys are the largest source of Australian data on the health and wellbeing of our communities, so we need as many people as possible to participate!

If you're LGBTIQA+ and aged 14-21, or you know any LGBTIQA+ young people (or parents of young people), please share this post widely!

Take the survey:
https://tinyurl.com/InOurWordsSurvey
Read more about In Our Words:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/work/lgbtiq-health/in-our-words

Come by our Midsumma stall tomorrow and trade a share & subscribe of our two flagship LGBTIQA+ health and wellbeing surveys for one of our gorgeous fans!

We've also got tote bags, cute stickers, pronoun badges, free LGBTIQA+ inclusion training for selected Vic Gov funded orgs, lollies and a PhD scholarship!

Our stall is on the path at the Swan St end - can't wait to see you there!

Do you work, see clients or volunteer in residential aged care in Australia? Take our survey for a chance to win one of four $100 gift cards!

We want to hear from people working, seeing patients/clients, on placements or volunteering in residential aged care facilities across the country.

If you or someone you know is in the residential aged care sector, we’d love fifteen minutes of your time - fully anonymous.

https://tinyurl.com/PrideInOurWork

Share widely and help shape inclusive aged care in Australia!

Read more about the project:
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/arcshs/work/lgbtiq-health/pride-in-our-work

Pride in our Work Pride in our Work: A survey of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in residential aged care in Australia

Do you teach - or know someone who does? How supported do you feel delivering topics like relationships, consent, s*xual health/s*x ed, human development, bodies and boundaries?

As part of our Department of Health, Disability and Ageing funded research project, we’re surveying Australian primary and high school teachers (current, future and past 5 years) on your experiences of teaching (or wanting to teach) relationships, consent, s*xual health and related topics.

Take our 10-minute survey and please share widely!

tinyurl.com/ycy4t86u

Relationships and s*xual health teacher survey We're asking teachers how prepared, supported, comfortable and confident you feel teaching relationships, s*xual health and human development. Take the 10-minute anonymous survey!

From everyone at ARCSHS and Rainbow Health Australia, our thanks for another great year of collaboration, advocacy and teamwork, and looking forward to seeing you in 2026 for new and continuing partnerships and projects!