Research summary
Understanding gender/sex and sexual diversity is essential for advancing equity and improving how we see ourselves and others, but existing models and measures often fail to capture its complexity. Dr. Sari van Anders, Canada Research Chair in Gender/Sex and Sexual Diversity, is building on nearly two decades of work to develop more accurate, inclusive approaches in three areas: conceptualizing gender/sex and sexual diversity, examining how gender roles shape sexual desire, and creating better tools for measuring gender/sex and related social identities.
Using innovative interdisciplinary methods—including experimental research, qualitative analysis, and visualization techniques—she and her research team are challenging stereotypes, revealing overlooked influences on intimate psychology, and providing more inclusive ways of capturing identity in research and education. Their findings will inform policy, curricula and public understanding.