Sexual and reproductive health
VicHealth has had a major investment in the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (La Trobe University) since its establishment in 1990. This centre undertakes social research and training into the areas of sex, sexuality, their place in society and their relationship to health.
VicHealth also funds research fellows and scholars within the centre:
Senior research fellows
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Professor Anthony Smith
is mapping Australia’s sexual and reproductive health – the first comprehensive study in 20 years.
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Associate Professor Gary Dowsett is looking at new issues in men’s health by investigating the connections between masculinity, sexuality and health of Victorian men.
Research fellow
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Dr Linda Bennett is looking at reproductive/sex education in Islamic schools to explore how religion, ethnic identity, and Islamic education impact upon the social connectedness of Muslim youth in Melbourne.
Scholar
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Ms Debbie Ollis is working on affirming diversity in sex education in schools.
Other researchers funded by VicHealth
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Dr Margaret Hellard (Macfarlane Burnet Institute; Supplementary Fellowship) is focused on understanding and reducing the transmission of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections.
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Mr Richard Hayes (University of Melbourne) is aiming to enhance women’s sexual health by finding ways to encourage women to raise the more common sexual difficulties with their clinicians.