Projects

This project is aimed at studying sexuality and interventions that intend to change harmful or toxic norms and behaviour within male sections (fraternities) of traditional Dutch student associations (in Dutch: studentencorpora). Using an interdisciplinary perspective, the research aims to better understand norms about masculinity and sexuality at Dutch fraternities and study ways and efforts to increase the health, safety and wellbeing of young men themselves, as well as cisgender straight women and LGBTQI+ identifying persons.

• A brief research report, including a fact sheet with recommendations for new interventions
• A presentation at a public meeting
• A scientific publication has been submitted to a peer reviewed journal

With this project we will identify, adapt and pilot test age-appropriate and ethical methods for studying sexual development among younger children (ages 4-10).

This project will study LGBTQ+ youth of color in the Netherlands in three ways. Firstly, we want to gain insight into racism and ethnic discrimination that LGBTQ+ youth face within the Dutch LGBTQ+ community, and society in general. Second, we will look at online and offline communities that provide spaces for LGBTQ+ young people of color in the Netherlands for positive role models, sense of community, joy, and empowerment. Finally, we aim to shed light on the extent to which experiences of LGBTQ+ youth of color are overlooked or ignored in design of interventions, (mental) health care and policy design in the Netherlands.

• Presentations at (inter)national conferences and symposia.
• At least three scientific publications have been submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
• A popular scientific online article for a broader audience that for example can be published, in Sociale Vraagstukken, the KIS website, One World, Trouw, and other newspapers.
• An informational video presenting the research results. Can be used for and by, for example, national and local policymakers. The video will also be shared with (major) social media and websites or (national) knowledge centers such as KIS.
• In year 4 of the project, a national concluding symposium will be organized for a broad audience, in combination with a national Pride event to increase the impact. Interactivity is the starting point, so that implementation strategies will be formulated on the spot.
• We will have started a community network of participants which will stay actively involved beyond the scope of this project

Gain a deep understanding of the processes underlying -and levels of influence on- the psychosocial sexual health, wellbeing, and development of Dutch VMBO pupils, including but not limited to sexual behavior, sexual orientation, sexual identity formation and expression, and intimate relationships.

• Scientific articles to be published in international, peer-reviewed journals.
• Popular scientific articles focused on daily practice. Bijv. Tijdschrift voor Seksuologie, Tijdschrift voor Gezondheidswetenschappen, Tijdschrift voor Pedagogiek
• Dissertation
• Social media posts about the progress of the research, e.g. via Tiktok and/or Instagram account messages aimed at (and in collaboration with) young people. Authors are both researchers and peer researchers
• Factsheets/announcements for teachers, useable for websites such as Sense.nl or Quest.nl
• Presentations at national & international conferences
• Organization of the final symposium where (practical) findings/results will be presented
• Conducting a number of guest lessons about love & sexuality
• Interactive ’talk show’ sessions organized by the peer researchers to present project results to students (streaming on social media channels)
• Press releases about (partial) results to social media & regular media (including Jeugdjournaal and Kidsweek
• Infographic and/or factsheets for [CSE] teachers with summaries of results & tips for lesson planning
• Reports for the VO raad (National Council Secondary Education) and for LAKS ( National Association Secondary Education Students)

Multiple studies have identified a significant over-representation of autism among transgender children and adolescents. This project therefore aims to investigate the long-term outcomes of autistic transgender children and adolescents previously seen in a specialized gender identity service who are now adults. With information about their gender identity development over time, mental health outcomes, and health care experiences we hope to ultimately improve the care for the autistic individuals seen in gender identity services worldwide.