April is recognized nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Faculty experts from the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at The University of Texas at Austin are available to discuss their research on sexual assault, domestic violence, women’s sexual health issues and the role gender plays in society.
Psychology of Female Sexuality
Cindy Meston
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
512-232-4644
meston@psy.utexas.edu
Meston directs the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Lab and is associate editor of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Her research focuses on how sexual abuse affects sexual function in women. Meston’s research has attracted the attention of national media such as The New York Times, Newsweek and ABC’s 20/20. Learn more about Meston’s lab.
Domestic Violence
Sarah Buel
Clinical Professor, School of Law
512-232-9326
sbuel@law.utexas.edu
Buel has worked with battered women, abused children and juveniles in the legal system for 30 years. She also directs the Domestic Violence Clinic. As co-founder of the university Voices Against Violence program, she has developed comprehensive counseling and advocacy services for survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking. As a domestic violence survivor, Buel is committed to improving the court and community response to abuse victims. Learn more about the Domestic Violence Clinic.
Sexual Assault
Noel Busch-Armendariz
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
512-471-3198
nbusch@mail.utexas.edu
Busch-Armendariz is the principal investigator for the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Since joining the university seven years ago, Busch has managed more than $1.4 million of external funding and directed research for the Office of the Attorney General, the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and the Texas Health and Human Service Commission. To learn more, read the feature story “Confronting Sexual Assault.”
Childhood Sexual Abuse
Regina Johnson
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
512-475-6351
rjjohnson@mail.utexas.edu
Johnson is an assistant professor of family and public health nursing. Her research focuses on childhood sexual victimization (especially among males), domestic violence and sexual assault among at-risk populations. In 2003, the National Institute of Health awarded Johnson a grant to explore sexual risk behaviors and gender differences among homeless adolescents.
Sexual Violence in Immigrant Populations
Gloria Gonzalez-Lopez
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology
512-232-6343
gloria386@mail.la.utexas.edu
Gonzalez-Lopez explores sexual violence, virginity, incest, masculinity and gender issues in Mexican immigrant populations. She is the author of “Erotic Journeys: Mexican Immigrants and Their Sex Lives” and the chapter “Nunca he dejado de tener terror: Sexual Violence in the Lives of Mexican Immigrant Women” in the book “Women in the U.S-Mexico Borderlands.”
Psychology of Mating and Murder
David Buss
Professor, Department of Psychology
512-475-8489
dbuss@psy.utexas.edu
Buss studies the psychology of mating and murder in intimate relationships. He is the author of “The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind is Designed to Kill,” which examines the underlying motives for murder, including infidelity and sexual abuse. To learn more, read the feature story “The Murderer Next Door.”
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Christine Williams
Professor, Department of Sociology
512-232-6321
cwilliams@austin.utexas.edu
Williams’ research focuses on gender roles, inequality and sexuality in the workplace. She has studied sexual harassment and discrimination in a variety of workplace settings. Williams edited the journal Gender and Society from 2003 to 2006.
How Cohabitation Affects Family Stability
Kelly Raley
Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
512-232-6333
kelly.raley@mail.utexas.edu
Raley studies trends in marriage, cohabitation and sexual relationships. She has examined the increase in cohabitation unions and how it affects fertility and children’s family instability. She also studies mate selection and how marital search constraints affect the likelihood of marriage.
Female Sexuality in Literature
Lisa Moore
Associate Professor, Department of English
512-471-1837
llmoore@mail.utexas.edu
Moore is a leading scholar in women’s and gender studies, including feminist and queer theory and the history of sexuality in literature. As a politically active feminist, Moore is involved in performance art and volunteers with the Austin Independent School District.
Pornography and Masculinity
Robert Jensen
Associate Professor, School of Journalism
512-471-1990
rjensen@uts.cc.utexas.edu
Jensen is an expert on pornography and the radical feminist critique of sexuality. He is the author of the forthcoming book “Pornography and the End of Masculinity” and co-author with Gail Dines and Ann Russo of “Pornography: The Production and Consumption of Inequality.” Learn more about Jensen’s research.
