Sex Research and the Media -- 1 Turning Sexual Science into News: Sex Research and the Media Kimberly R. McBride, Ph.D.1,2, Stephanie A. Sanders, Ph.D.2,3, Erick Janssen, Ph.D.2,4,Maria Elizabeth Grabe, Ph.D.5 , Jennifer Bass, M.P.H.2, Johnny V. Sparks, Ph.D.6,Trevor R. Brown, Ph.D.7, Julia R. Heiman, Ph.D.2,4,8 1 Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 2 The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 3 Department of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 4 Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 5 Department of Telecommunications, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 6 Department of Telecommunication, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 7 School of Journalism, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 8 To whom correspondence should be addressed at The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Morrison Hall 313, 1165 East Third Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-3700; email
[email protected] Keywords: SEX RESEARCH; SEXUALITY; MEDIA; JOURNALISM; MEDIA TRAINING Sex Research and the Media -- 2 Abstract In this article we report on the findings of a two-part project investigating contemporary issues in sexuality researchers’ interaction with journalists. The goal of the project was to explore best practices and suggest curricular and training initiatives for sexuality researchers and journalists that would enhance the accurate dissemination of sexuality research findings in the media. We present the findings of a survey of a convenience sample of 94 sexuality researchers about their experiences and concerns regarding media coverage and a summary of the main themes that emerged from an invitational conference of sexuality researchers and journalists.