CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
Are you a cisgender, heterosexual man or woman currently dating or engaging in casual sexual activities? Would you be interested in talking about your experiences of dating, casual sex, and consent? We are seeking cisgender, heterosexual men and women who reside in Australia, aged between 18 and 35 to share their stories and experiences with sex, intimacy and dating.
*cisgender refers to a person who describes their gender in a way that corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a person who describes themselves as male or a man and was assigned male at birth (such as on their original birth certificate)
About the study
New expectations around dating and relationships, as well as access to mobile technologies and dating apps, have led to new ways of hooking up with people, and negotiating consent, sex, and intimacy. Although there exists much discussion around consent violations, we know very little about how individuals themselves understand and practice sex and consent. In this study, we want to explore Australian adults’ engagement with, and perceptions around, this topic. The findings from this research will provide an informed basis for improving policy, regulatory and educational responses in this area.
Who can participate?
To participate, we are seeking cisgender, heterosexual men and women aged 18-35, reside in Australia, and currently or have previously engaged in casual sex and dating.
Why aren’t you including a more diverse range of participants?
At this time, we are only interviewing cisgender, heterosexual men and women because this is a small-scale exploratory study. Research that homogenises the experiences of trans and gender diverse people with that of people who are cisgender means the voices and experiences of people who are trans and gender diverse are often lost or overlooked. Additionally, research that homogenises the experiences of straight people with those of diverse sexual orientations also means that the unique insights into these groups are lost.
In the near future, we hope to do research that is more encompassing of other groups. Please do get in touch with us if you are interested in potential future collaborations, we would love to hear from you!
What does participation involve (interviews)?
Young men (aged 18-35, cisgender, heterosexual, reside in Australia) may elect to participate in a one-on-one interview. Participants will be reimbursed for their time with a $50 gift voucher. If you decide to take part in the interview, you will be asked to attend a one-on-one interview of approximately 60-120 minutes in length, and this will occur over the phone, using Zoom technology, or IM messaging. You will be asked asked a series of questions about your romantic, dating, and sexual experiences with women.
What does participation involve (focus groups)?
Young men and young women (aged 18-35, cisgender, heterosexual) may elect to participate in a mixed gender focus group or single gender focus group. Participants will be reimbursed for their time with a $50 gift voucher. If you decide to take part in the focus group, you will be asked to attend a mixed or single-gender focus group of approximately 6-8 people per group online using Zoom for approximately 2 hours. You and other focus group members will be asked a series of questions about romantic, dating, and sexual expectations in a group discussion format.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate and fit the eligibility criteria, you can select to participate in either a private interview, a single gender, or mixed-gender focus group. Please fill out the eligibility survey at the bottom of the page. You can also contact Dr Andrea Waling at a.waling@latrobe.edu.au or m-sex@latrobe.edu.au, or fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.
Who is running this study?
This research is conducted by Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society at La Trobe University. The researchers conducting this study are Dr Andrea Waling and Dr Alexandra James. This research has received funding from the Australian Research Council DE200101539 and has been granted ethics approval by the La Trobe University Ethics Committee (HEC20110). More information, including how to get involved, can be found at M-SEX.org.
What if I have a complaint?
If you have a complaint about any part of this study (HEC20110), please contact the Senior Research Ethics Officer at La Trobe University via phone (03 9479 1443) or email (humanethics@lartrobe.edu.au).
How can I find out more?
If you have any further questions, or if you would like to express interest in participating, you can contact Dr Andrea Waling at a.waling@latrobe.edu.au or m-sex@latrobe.edu.au.
When might I be informed of the results?
Participants will be informed of the results of the study once they have been peer-reviewed and published. They will receive a short summary of results of the project which will include a list of any publications.
Where might I access the results?
Participants can request copies of any publications at M-SEX: Outputs.
Eligibility Survey
To participate, please fill out our eligibility survey below!
For more information, contact us!