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Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies
and Sexuality Studies
The Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies carries out multidisciplinary research on sexuality from social science, humanistic, medical and clinical perspectives. Our aim is to develop and stimulate faculty-wide research in sexology and sexuality studies, and also to strengthen national and international research collaboration within the field.
Research highlights
Current research
Psychotherapy after sexual violence

Survivors Healing from Abuse: Recovery through Exposure (SHARE) is a brief, exposure-based group treatment for incarcerated female survivors of sexual violence developed by Marie Karlsson and her colleagues. Preliminary evaluations of SHARE have showed declines in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms from pre- to posttreatment. In this study Marie Karlsson with colleagues examine whether group size matters for the outcome of the treatment.
Transgender and non-binary people’s sexual well-being

Through a phenomenological approach, Frida Björklund and Malin Lindroth have explored transgender and non-binary people’s strategies for experiencing sexual well-being. Their study points to strategies that all can learn from: the need to accept and appreciate oneself, not just adapt to gender norms of bodies and behaviors, and to communicate. In addition, being norm-breaking, or stepping out of the gendered paths presented to you, appears to provide new opportunities for people to learn what they enjoy.
Typ 1 diabetes affects sexual function

A recent publication authored by Anne-Marie Wangel and Karin Stenzelius shows that problems with sexual dysfunction are common in middle-aged women with long-lasting type 1 diabetes, and may be unreported unless addressed in clinical care. The study is based on data collected through a questionnaire distributed at four hospitals in southern Sweden.
Our research
The centre was established with the intention of further strengthening the University's position as a focual point for national and international research, in parallel with educational and professional development in the field of sexuality. Our research focusses on structural frameworks, institutional contexts and individual experiences, comprising three main themes:
Sexuality, norms and politics
The first theme — sexuality, norms and politics — focusses on norms concerning sexuality in legislation, moral regulation, and discourse. Within this area, our research deals with the construction and mediation of norms by examining politics and policies targeting sexuality. The analytical perspectives applied are developed from social scientific disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, criminology and social work, as well as from humanities disciplines such as gender studies, queer studies, history, human ecology and film studies.
The research questions within this field relate to politics, legislation, public discourse and norms, and include a variety of topics, such as:
- female genital cutting
- the regulation of commercial sex
- narratives of rape
- attitudes to and representations of HIV
- perceptions of honour-related violence
- the governance of same-sex relationships and homonormativity
- BDSM practices
- issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights from a global perspective
Sexual and reproductive health, intervention and prevention
The second theme — sexual and reproductive health, intervention and prevention — has a more direct focus on intervention, prevention and institutional practices relating to sexuality. This theme involves research projects that examine the provision of sexual information and sex education for young people in different contexts, such as: the Swedish education system; the Swedish health care system; Swedish social services; and in institutional care. Other projects explore sexual counselling among religious and multi-ethnic communities and counselling for people who buy sex.
The protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights among different target groups is yet another topic within this field, for example access to health care and social support for people who sell sex, transgender people and young people.
In addition, research within the centre also touches on the implementation and outcomes of different interventions and legal measures targeting, for example:
- female genital cutting
- the selling and buying of sexual services
- human trafficking for sexual purposes
This theme also addresses intervention by looking into institutional practices and examining the ideologies on which interventions are based.
Sexual experiences and practices
The third theme — sexual experiences and practices — brings together research at the micro-level with a focus on individual perceptions and experiences of sexuality. Among other things, this involves ongoing research on:
- sexual dysfunction
- sexuality and intellectual disabilities
- sexual consent
- sexual risk-taking
- sexual practices and identities
- experiences of sexual abuse
- sexuality and drug use
- sexual habits
- sexual fantasies
- research on sexual health and desire in relation to gender, sexuality, class, ethnicity, ability and age
Research projects and publications
Find out more about ongoing research projects at Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies.
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Research project
Changed sexual practices and relationships when sexually transmitted infections become resistant to antibiotics? - a postdoc study focusing...
kristofer.hansson@mau.se -
Research project
Young LGBT+ people in state care
malin.lindroth@mau.se -
Research project
Being young and living with inflammatory bowel disease - an international perspective
ann-cathrine.bramhagen@mau.se -
Research project
Youth, consent and the Internet: an affect theoretical study on young people's sexual practices online
kim.ringmar-sylwander@mau.se -
Research project
School health care and SRHR promotion
malin.lindroth@mau.se -
Research project
Experiences of involuntary childlessness during the Covid-19 pandemic
ida.hall@mau.se -
Research project
Reflections regarding sexual experiences and boundaries of young adults with intellectual disability
anna.hart@mau.se -
Research project | DOCTORAL PROJECT
Youth substance abuse, sexual health and the social services
robin.bjorkas@mau.se -
Research project
New infidelities? Life stories on infidelity 1960-2020
catrine.andersson@mau.se -
Research project
Bio-modifying technologies in Change: Cultural Perspectives on Responsible Research and Innovation in CRISPR- and stem cell technologies
kristofer.hansson@mau.se -
Research project
Societal measures to check for suspected female genital mutilation in Sweden: an analysis of proportionality in the authorities’ handling o...
sara.johnsdotter@mau.se -
Research project
Providing culturally appropriate youth sexual and reproductive health services in Sweden: the role of cultural humility?
nada.amroussia@mau.se -
Research project
Sexual health in adolescents and young adults with inflammatory bowel disease: patients and professionals perspective
vedrana.vejzovic@mau.se -
Research project
Experiences and Memories of Sex Education in School
rebecka.fingalsson@mau.se -
Research project
Being young, with migration experiences and identifying as an LGBTQ+ person
camilla.ivarsson@mau.se -
Research project
Power and possibilities - intersectional perspectives on young people's conditions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
anna-chuchu.schindele@mau.se -
Research project
The Purchase of Sex – Meanings, Vulnerabilities and Welfare Initiatives
ylva.gronvall@mau.se -
Research project
Male victims of violence and their mental ill health during the life course.
lotta.sjogran@mau.se -
Research project
Polyamory – relationships, family and everyday life beyond norms of coupledom
catrine.andersson@mau.se -
Research project
Sexual counselling after Acquired Brain Injury
ann-sofie.ek@mau.se -
Research project
Female genital cutting and sexuality
camilla.palm@mau.se
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2022 | Article in journal
Providing sexual and reproductive health services to migrants in Southern Sweden: a qualitative exploration of healthcare providers' experiences
Nada Amroussia
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2022 | Article in journal
Ask me, listen to me, treat me well and I shall tell: a qualitative study of Swedish youths' experiences of systematic assessment of sexual health and risk-taking (SEXIT)
Sofia Hammarström, Susanne Bernhardsson, Per Nilsen, Jennie Elisson, Ellinor Frostholm, Malin Lindroth
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2023 | Article in journal
Sexuality >1 year after brain injury rehabilitation: A cross-sectional study in Sweden
Ann-Sofie Ek, Charlotta Holmström, Eva Elmerstig
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2022 | Chapter in book
Eroticisms in cross-cultural perspective
Sara Johnsdotter
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2022 | Chapter in book
Female Genital Mutilation
Sara Johnsdotter
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2022 | Chapter in book
Swedish eco-social interventions for climate justice and social justice: Examples from the Global North
Carin Björngren Cuadra, Pernilla Ouis
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2022 | Article in journal
Tensions, Power, and Commitment:: LGBTQ and Swedish Free Churches
Charlotta Carlström
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2022 | Conference paper
Prevalence of urinary tract symptoms, bother, and depression among middle-aged women with long-lasting type 1 diabetes
Karin Stenzelius, Anne-Marie Wangel
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2022 | Article in journal
Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of Data from a Survey on Partnered Individuals in Eight European Countries
Charlotta Löfgren, Eva Elmerstig, Johanna Schröder, Marie Chollier, Jasmina Mehulic, Hanneke de Graaf, Katerina Klapilova, Ines Tavares, Peer Briken, Özlem Köse, Pedro Nobre, Aleksandar Stulhofer
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2022 | Article in journal
Migrants in Swedish sexual and reproductive health and rights related policies: a critical discourse analysis
Nada Amroussia, Charlotta Holmström, Pernilla Ouis
News and events
Researchers at CSS
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Catrine Andersson - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
catrine.andersson@mau.se
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Ann-Cathrine Bramhagen - Associate Professor
ann-cathrine.bramhagen@mau.se
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AC
Aje Carlbom - Associate Professor
aje.carlbom@mau.se
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Charlotta Carlström - Senior lecturer
charlotta.carlstrom@mau.se
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Eva Elmerstig - Associate Professor/Program director/Senior lecturer
eva.elmerstig@mau.se
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Charlotta Holmström - Associate Professor
charlotta.holmstrom@mau.se
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KI
Karin Ingvarsdotter - Senior lecturer
karin.ingvarsdotter@mau.se
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Jenny Jakobsson - Associate senior lecturer
jenny.jakobsson@mau.se
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Sara Johnsdotter - Professor
sara.johnsdotter@mau.se
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Marie Karlsson - Senior lecturer
marie.e.karlsson@mau.se
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Bodil Liljefors-Persson - Associate Professor/Professor
bodil.liljefors@mau.se
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Malin Lindroth - Associate senior lecturer
malin.lindroth@mau.se
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ML
Mats Lundström - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
mats.lundstrom@mau.se
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PO
Pernilla Ouis - Associate Professor
pernilla.ouis@mau.se
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Charlotte Petersson - Senior lecturer/Assistant head of dep.
charlotte.c.petersson@mau.se
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Lars Plantin - Prodekanus
lars.plantin@mau.se
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TR
Torkel Richert - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
torkel.richert@mau.se
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Kim Ringmar Sylwander - Postdoc
kim.ringmar-sylwander@mau.se
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Vedrana Vejzovic - Associate senior lecturer
vedrana.vejzovic@mau.se
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AW
Anne-Marie Wangel - Senior lecturer
anne-marie.wangel@mau.se
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Lotta Wendel - Senior lecturer
lotta.wendel@mau.se
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Eva Wolf - Associate Professor/Specialist dentist/Senior lecturer/senior dental officer
eva.wolf@mau.se
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Karin Örmon - Associate Professor/Senior lecturer
karin.ormon@mau.se
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Nada Amroussia - Doctoral student
nada.amroussia@mau.se
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Robin Björkas - Doctoral student
robin.bjorkas@mau.se
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Ann-Sofie Ek - Doctoral student
ann-sofie.ek@mau.se
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Rebecka Fingalsson - Doctoral student
rebecka.fingalsson@mau.se
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Ylva Grönvall - Doctoral student
ylva.gronvall@mau.se
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Ida Elisabet Hall - Research administrator/Research assistant
ida.hall@mau.se
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Anna Hart - Doctoral student
anna.hart@mau.se
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Camilla Ivarsson - Doctoral student
camilla.ivarsson@mau.se
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Camilla Palm - Doctoral student
camilla.palm@mau.se
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Anna-Chuchu Schindele - Doctoral student
anna-chuchu.schindele@mau.se
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JT
Jakob Tornberg - Doctoral student
jakob.tornberg@mau.se
Sofia Hammarström
Development manager at Knowledge Centre for Sexual Health within Region Västra Götaland. PhD from Linköping University within the field young people at risk of sexual ill health. Contact: sofia.hammarstrom@vgregion.se
Researchers, visiting researchers and publications
Visiting researchers
Visiting researchersOur centre regularly welcomes visiting academics, from professors to doctoral students, whose research interests align with the centre's activities. To apply, send a CV, information about previous experience, funding, motivation and a research description to Charlotta Holmström.
Organisation
Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Chair
Mariah Larsson, Professor, Department of Film and Literature, Linnaeus University
Members
- Barbro Lennér-Axelsson, Psychologist, International Planned Parenthood Federation, and Senior Lecturer, University of Gothenburg
- Carina Listerborn, Professor in Urban Planning, Department of Urban Studies, Malmö University
- Karin Örmon, Associate Professor, Department of Care Science, Malmö University
- Katarina Görts Öberg, Doctor of Medicine and Psychologist, ANOVA, and Head of Unit for Sexual Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital
- Niclas Olsson, Development Secretary, Sexual Health, Malmö city
- Niels Ulrich Sörensen, Associate Professor and Deputy Manager at The Danish Centre for Youth Research (CeFU), Aalborg University, Denmark
- Suzann Larsdotter, Social worker and Sexologist, Sexualbyrån Suzann Larsdotter
Senior Research Group
- Ann-Cathrine Bramhagen, Associate Professor, Department of Care Science, Malmö University
- Bodil Liljefors-Persson, Professor, Department of Society, Culture and Identity, Malmö University
- Catrine Andersson, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Malmö University
- Charlotta Holmström, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Malmö University
- Eva Elmerstig, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Malmö University
- Malin Lindroth, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Malmö University
- Mats Lundström, Senior lecturer, Department of Natural Science, Malmö University
PhD Network DSS
Doctoral students for Sexology and Sexual Studies (DSS) is an interdisciplinary doctoral research network based at the Center for Sexology and Sexuality Studies (CSS), Malmö University. Network’s goal is to connect and foster collaboration between doctoral students working in the fields of sexuality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By creating an open space for dialogue and knowledge exchange, we aim to stimulate research collaborations between different faculties and universities and contribute to advancing research in the fields of sexuality and SRHR at the national and international level. Would you like to be a part of DSS or have questions? Please contact PhD students Camilla Ivarsson or Nada Amroussia.