The Academic Schpeal
I spend my days at the University of Washington in Seattle researching the intersection of intimacy and eroticism.
Some of my projects have examined nonbinary gender identity, couple closeness, porn use, sexual satisfaction, sexual decision-making, and erotic desire.
I’ve been an invited speaker at the National Symposium on Family Issues and received teaching awards from the University of Washington. I was the 2-time recipient of the Pepper Schwartz Fellowship in Human Sexuality.
Some of the courses I instruct or co-instruct include Sociology of Sexuality, Psychology of Human Sexuality, and Intimate Relationships.
I also have published articles and chapters on the topics of online dating, sexual shame, abstinence, sexuality in later life, and sexual desire.
I can provide a CV upon request.
The Other Stuff
Fun fact: I work at a couple’s wellness platform!
Yep. I get to help thousands of couples explore and enhance their intimacy and eroticism on the daily with the platform Arya. I think that’s really frickin’ cool.
Some of my work includes:
developing data-driven techniques to increase relationship compatibility
integrating AI to pair people with content curated to the needs of their relationship
using leading methods in psychology and sociology to increase relationship and sexual satisfaction
leading intimacy-building workshops
partnering with sexual wellness brands and experts to give users access to a range of new toys and techniques
I write for non-academic audiences too!
Writing is a passion of mine. From niche sex blogs to Relationship-Help Books to Psychology Today…I’m verse.
Queerying sex
Most—and, in certain cases, all—of the scientific information we have on the erotic and intimate lives of Americans is framed from a Western heteronormative (and predominantly white cis-male) POV. I appreciate understanding the relationships of these men. That said, we must include the POVs of marginalized populations in our work and acknowledge how our own identities, privileges, and biases interact with the research we generate and reference. This is not only my goal but my responsibility as Americans’ sex and relationships become increasingly diverse. So…expect me to have a queer, inclusive take on the state of modern unions.
