This document discusses various methods for disseminating sex research to broad audiences, including blogging, contributing to popular media outlets, presenting to local communities, and using Twitter. It provides advice and considerations for using each method based on the experiences of sex researchers. Blogging is highlighted as an effective way to engage audiences, increase visibility, and promote one's work, but it requires substantial time. Presenting to local communities can educate the public but requires tailoring content for different audiences and considering financial and time commitments. Twitter is recommended as a way to quickly share information with a wide network, but may also increase unwanted attention. Overall, researchers should choose dissemination methods aligned with their interests and career.

1. KEEPING THE SCIENCE IN
SEX: DISSEMINATING SEX
RESEARCH TO BROAD AUDIENCES
Justin Lehmiller, PhD
Kristen Mark, PhD, MPH
Megan Maas, MPH, CHES
Zhana Vranglovia, PhD

2. DISSEMINATING SEX
RESEARCH THROUGH
BLOGGING
Justin J. Lehmiller,
Ph.D.
Purdue University
www.lehmiller.com
@JustinLehmiller

3. SEXANDPSYCHOLOGY.COM
Launched in 2011
Communicates the science of sex, love, and relationships in a
responsible & engaging way—not a blog about my personal
opinions or experiences
On average, 3 substantive posts per week

4. HIGHLIGHTS AND STATISTICS
20,000+ fans/followers across social media sites
Over 1 million page views in the first year and growing
Some individual posts have been read more than
100,000 times
Popular stories:
What do men and women focus on when they watch porn?
 Women reach for red and pink clothes during ovulation
 Oddities in the history of sex research: Homosexual
necrophilia in the mallard duck

5. BENEFITS OF BLOGGING
Keeps my scientific knowledge base current
Increased professional visibility; established as a media
consultant and expert
 I have been contacted through the blog by: The New York Times,
CNN.com, Discovery News, Newsweek, ABC News, & more
My blog is quoted in national & international media (e.g., Time, The
Daily Mail); some posts have been republished elsewhere (Cosmo,
Huffington Post, etc.)
 Led to other writing opportunities (e.g., Playboy, Boston.com)
Advertising revenue, ability to promote other projects &
recruit research participants
Plus, it’s fun and personally rewarding!

6. DRAWBACKS OF BLOGGING
It requires a LOT of work—takes time away from
everything else (e.g., publishing in journals)
Takes substantial effort to build a following and generate
revenue
Increased professional visibility—not everyone is as
enthusiastic about sex, minimal credit given for “service”
All of your statements become public record and you are
held accountable for what you say—expect criticism
 Also, sloppy work can affect your credibility

7. ADVICE: STARTING A BLOG
You don’t need to be a programming wizard—it’s easy to
create a professional website
 I use Squarespace, but numerous platform options exist (e.g.,
Wordpress, Blogger)
Consider the expenses: monthly hosting fees, custom
domain names, images/art, your time
 I spent about $500/year, not counting my time
Beware of potential liabilities
 Brush up on copyright law!

8. ADVICE: EFFECTIVE WRITING
Keep your audience in mind—use clear language and
avoid jargon
Use (appropriate) humor and don’t be afraid to let your
personality come through in your writing (“edu-tainment”)
When starting out, have others (academic & non-academic)
read & critique your work before you publish it
Title and first paragraph are key—but avoid temptation to
sensationalize
Practice!

9. FINAL THOUGHTS
Should you be a sex blogger?
Scientists have an obligation to disseminate their findings,
but journals shouldn’t be the final stop
 Blogging isn’t right for everyone, though!
Find the right form of research dissemination for your
interests and career
 Several options available…

10. THANK YOU!
justin.lehmiller@gmail.com
@JustinLehmiller
www.lehmiller.com

11. DISSEMINATION OF SEX
RESEARCH THROUGH
POPULAR MEDIA OUTLETS
Kristen Mark, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Profess of Health
Promotion
Director, Sexual Health
Promotion Lab
University of Kentucky
www.kristenmark.com
@Kristen_Mark

12. WHY POPULAR MEDIA OUTLETS?
sex
sells

13. WHY IT MATTERS TO US
Although distributing research findings to academic
outlets is incredibly important, I recognize the impact of
distributing information to the masses so they have the
opportunity to digest what we learn as scientists.
If we keep our findings and knowledge confined to
academic journals, our research results in much less
impact.
I am committed to disseminating the most up-to-date
information about sex to as wide an audience as possible.

14. TWO PRIMARY AVENUES
1) The Resident Blogger
2) The Contributing Expert

15. THE RESIDENT BLOGGER

16. THE CONTRIBUTING EXPERT

17. HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Becoming a Resident Blogger provides a
platform to make a name for yourself.
Publish in academic journals and send your
published research to blogging researchers,
tweet your findings, or write about it yourself.

18. LESSONS LEARNED
Never take a cold call to do an interview without proper
notice.
Interviews can take up a lot of time. Make sure you protect
yourself if you are working with the media as a contributing
expert.
Be prepared and clear with your answers. Avoid getting
“chatty” with the journalist unless you have previously built
trust and rapport.

19. THE IMPACT ON TENURE-TRACK
Count it toward service activities as sex education outreach.
All of your statements become public record.
You become very able…make sure you’re
producing work you’re proud of.
Assess Departmental, College, and University support.

20. THANK YOU!
kristen.mark@uky.edu
@Kristen_Mark
www.KristenMark.com

21. DISSEMINATION OF SEX
RESEARCH TO LOCAL
COMMUNITIES
Megan Maas, M.S., C.H.E.S.
Doctoral Candidate at Penn
State
www.MeganMaas.com

22. GRASSROOTS APPROACH TO
SEX ED
Sexuality education in the U.S. is rarely comprehensive
Taking a “grassroots” approach to sex-ed can fill
some gaps
It is difficult to obtain community buy-in for
engagement in sexuality education
Capitalizing on “emergencies and fear” as “teachable
moments” can get positive perspectives heard and
EBPIs introduced (Rotheram-Borus Mary Jane, et al. 2012).

23. KNOW YOUR TOPIC
What is it that you research that excites you?
What is a ‘hot topic’ for our culture? Your local
community?
How do you make taboo topics engaging for parents,
teachers, etc.?
What I do:
Technology Use
& Sexual
Development

24. LECTURE OR WORKSHOP?
Lectures
 You do the majority of the talking
 Mostly information sharing
 Can have learning objectives
Workshops
 You only do some of the talking
 There are activities, quizzes, games, etc.
 Usually involves skill-building
How do you know?
 Old or new topic
 Embarrassing or REALLY embarrassing?
 Who is your audience? Professionals? Parents? Kids?
What I do:
Lecture and
workshop version
of a few different
topics.

25. TAILOR FOR MULTIPLE
AUDIENCES
Primary and Secondary Teachers
Primary and Secondary Students
College Students
(Young, Mid-life, Older) Adult Singles
(Young, Mid-life, Older) Adult Couples
Parents
Counselors
Therapists
Medical Providers
What I do:
My audiences are
college students,
parents, teachers,
counselors,
therapists, and
medical providers.

26. $MONEY, MONEY, MONEY$
Difficult to determine and ethical issue
Start off free
 Build audience
 Drive demand
 Guest lectures at community events, on campuses, YMCA, etc.
Professionals Audience
 Teaching associations
 Continuing education credits
 Therapists will attend workshops that are tax-deductible
What I do:
Three years of no
money.
Different rate for
different
audiences.

27. TAXES
Independent Contractor
 Report income
 Deduct expenses
Mileage
 Federal rate is .56/mile
1099
 Form for income
What I do:
Registered as an
independent
contractor in 2011.
Doing presentations
monthly.

28. CONSIDERATIONS
Do you have the time?
What would your department think?
Are you a grad student, post-doc, or new faculty?
Do you have a life? Want to keep it?
What I do:
Stress out!

29. THANK YOU!
mkm266@psu.edu
@MeganKMaas
www.MeganMaas.com

30. DISSEMINATION OF SEX
RESEARCH USING
TWITTER
Zhana Vrangalova, Ph.D.
Adjunct Professor
New York University
sv52@nyu.edu
Twitter: @DrZhana

31. WHAT IS TWITTER?
Micro-blogging platform
 Free
 Public
 Links to blogs, web pages, images, videos etc
 Limited to 140 characters
Twitter facts
 284 million monthly active users
 500 million Tweets are sent per day
 80% of Twitter active users are on mobile
 77% of accounts are outside the U.S

34. YOU CAN HAVE A LAB /
INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNT AS
WELL

35. WHAT COULD YOU POSSIBLY DO
(PROFESSIONALLY) WITH 140
CHARACTERS?!
1. Disseminate Information
2. Self-Promote
3. Absorb Information
4. Network
5. Teach

36. 1. DISSEMINATE
INFORMATION
Add Value by sharing info/ links / comments
on:
Research studies
Popular media pieces abt research
Relevant news abt laws, policies, public issues
Talks at your school
 Books you’re reading
Live-tweet conferences

37. 2. SELF-PROMOTE
Share / Announce your own:
Published studies (Academia)
 Slides from talks/conferences (Slideshare)
Blog posts, media articles, books
TV, radio, podcast appearances
Talks (conference, guest, TED)
Random thoughts about academia (& your life)

38. 3. ABSORB INFORMATION
Quick & easy way to:
Get general news
Get industry-specific news

39. 4. NETWORK
Connect with other academics in your field:
Ask for advice/clarification/papers
Collaborate on research projects
Put together conference symposia
Connect w/ non-academics:
book agents, magazines, podcasts, radio shows, TV
shows

40. FOLLOW THE RIGHT PEOPLE
Start w/ a few key people in your area and check out
their followers
@Sex_Science
Check out lists:
 SPSP Members List
 DrZhana’s Sex Researchers/Educators List
Organize people you follow (or not follow) in LISTS by
field, by geography, by interest…

41. 5. TEACH
During class
 Facilitate class discussion
 Take notes – study guide
Before/After class
 Share relevant links / resources/ reminders / changes
 Hold virtual “office hours” – Q & A

42. YOU BECOME TARGET /
RESOURCE
People will:
 ask questions & advice
 request pdfs of studies themselves
 argue with you about validity, value of studies
 attack you for all sorts of things
 hit on you
 try to sell you stuff/ spam you

43. LIVE-TWEETING CONFERENCES
1. Use the conference hashtag: #ssss2014
2. Use a session hashtag
3. Use a Twitter client (Hootsuite or Tweetdeck)
4. Expect to be tweeted OR Explicitly ask not to
5. Provide your Twitter handle
6. Give credit – ask for people’s handles
7. Start tweets right
8. Use text expansion
9. Take a break
10.Meet other live Tweeters face to face
E.g., “.@DrZhana: Tip #8: Use
text expansion for quicker
live tweeting of conferences.
#ssss14 #s52”

44. GENERAL RESOURCES
How to Use Twitter: The Basics (YouTube video)
Miah, Andy, 2010. Best Top 10 tips for using Twitter.
Reed, Mark & Evely, Anna, 2011. Top Twitter Tips for Academics. Living With
Environmental Change.
ietzmann, J.H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I.P., & Silvestre, B.S. (2011) Social
media? Get serious! Understanding the functional building blocks of social
media. Business Horizons, 54, 241-251.
Mollett, A., Moran, D., & Dunleavy, P. (2011). Using Twitter in university
research, teaching and impact activities. LSE Public Policy Group.
Linzy, K. (). Twitter for academics: An Introduction. 2nd Edition. Office of
Technology Services, University of Evansville.

45. TWITTER GLOSSARY
@ Sign-- The most important code on Twitter and refers to individuals. In a tweet it is combined with the twitter username (@person1) and is used to refer to that person or send them a public
message.
Blocking -- Prevents someone from following you or subscribing to your tweets.
Direct Message, DM -- A private message sent on Twitter to someone who is following you. To DM click the "message" menu and then "new message" to send a direct message.
Favorite -- Allows you to mark a tweet as a favorite so you can see it later. Click the "Favorite" link (next to a star icon) beneath any tweet to favorite it.
#FF or Follow Friday -- "Follow Friday," a Twitter tradition where users recommend people to follow on Fridays.
Follow, Follower -- Following someone means subscribing to their tweets. A follower is someone who follows or subscribes to another person's tweets.
Hashtag -- A topic, keyword or phrase preceded by the # symbol. Hashtags categorize messages on Twitter.
Lists -- Collections of Twitter accounts which anyone can create. People can follow a Twitter list with one click and see a stream of all the tweets sent by everyone in that list.
Mention -- A tweet that include a reference to any Twitter user by placing the @symbol in front of their handle or username. (Example: @person1.) these tweets are tracked by twitter.
Reply, @Reply -- A direct tweet sent by clicking on the "reply" button that appears on another tweet and links the tweets, they always start with "@person1."
Retweet -- A retweet (noun) = a tweet that had been forwarded on Twitter by someone, but was originally written & sent by someone else. To retweet (verb) = to send someone else's tweet to
your followers.
RT -- Abbreviation for "retweet" inserted into a message being resent to tell others that it's a retweet.
Trending Topic -- Topics people are tweeting about most often at any given moment.
Tweep – A follower on Twitter; also used to refer to groups of people who follow one another.
Tweet -- (noun) = message posted on Twitter with 140 or fewer characters, also called a post or an update. Tweet (verb) = to send a tweet via Twitter.
Twitterati -- Twitterati are the popular users on Twitter, those wi/ large groups of followers.
Twitosphere -- The Twitosphere (sometimes spelled "Twittosphere") are all the people who tweet.
Un-follow or Unfollow -- To un-follow means to stop subscribing or following another person's tweets.
URL: w/ very limited space in a tweet most users shorten URLs using a program to enable more space to explain

46. THANK YOU!
sv52@nyu.edu
@DrZhana
www.zhanavrangalova.com