Sexual Health and Wellbeing (SHAW) Research Group
A leading hub for sexuality-related public health research.
About our group
- We conduct high-quality research to improve public health in relation to sexual behaviour and health.
- We co-develop impactful research and resources with policymakers and evidence users.
- We generate robust evidence and insights for clinicians, practitioners, and educators.
- We collaborate with and amplify the voices of groups and communities most affected by poor sexual health and wellbeing.
- We use innovative methods to document trends, explore phenomena, design and evaluate interventions.
- We teach about sexual health and wellbeing to foster critical thinkers who are prepared to champion change.
Themes
Our current research spans three main themes:
- Sexual Wellbeing – conceptualising wellbeing and applying it.
- Sexual Health – developing an understanding of delivery, experiences, perceptions and behaviours.
- Gender-based violence.
Key projects
Current projects
- Sexual Wellbeing
- Equally Safe at School (ESAS)
- Community Pharmacies and Scotland’s Sexual Health (COMPASS)
- National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NATSAL)
- Natsal-COVID study
- Sexual health and healthy relationships intervention for Further Education (SaFE)
Past projects
- Good Measure
- CONUNDRUM - co-produced project on young people's experiences of accessing and using condoms and contraception.
- CONUNDRUM Action - participatory action research with young people, policymakers and practitioners to co-develop understanding of young people’s involvement in Scotland’s system of sexual health policy and service improvement.
- Katawag
- STASH - feasibility study of peer-led social network intervention to improve sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among secondary school students.
- WAYS (Wellbeing Among Youth in Scotland)
PhD students
Current students
Raquel Bosó Pérez - Understanding Young People’s Sexual Wellbeing.
Kirsten Kernaghan - COMPASS (COMmunity Pharmacies And Scotland’s Sexual health) – Community Pharmacies as a resource for Sexual Health in Scotland
Past students
Jennifer Littlejohn (2026) How do people conceptualise and experience sexual consent across the lifespan?
George Burrows (2025). Identifying factors influencing sexual health and wellbeing among transgender adults in Scotland.
Inyang, Elizabeth Mayen (2024) Addressing Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Scotland: A soft systems approach.
Wilson-Lowe, Rachel (2023) Talking about abortion online: A qualitative exploration of how and why women use the Internet to seek social support around abortion.
External collaborators
Ayse Deliktas, Visiting Researcher. Turkish International Post-doctoral Fellowship. Nursing practice and sexual wellbeing.
Fiona Mapp, Affiliate. NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award. Sexual wellbeing in postnatal women.
Lucy Brennan, Honorary Clinical Lecturer. Interests: inequalities in menopause care.
Rape Crisis Scotland. Partners on our Equally Safe at School project.
