The World Association for Sexual Health 2025 Conference

I just wrapped up the World Association for Sexual Health 2025 Congress, which was four days full of rich conversations and learning all about the world of sexual health 🌏

As someone who had never attended a sexology-focused conference before, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it quickly became one of my favourites. A few highlights of mine include:

✨ Chairing a panel on emerging challenges in sexuality education with absolute icons, Giselle Woodley, Jordina Quain, Katrina Marson, and Hanna Saltis. It was my first time chairing, and the room was packed, with people even sitting on the floor! The generous feedback reminded me why I love this work so much (and my friends).

✨ Meeting Nicola Gavey, a powerhouse whose work continues to shape how I think about and research sexual violence. An academic fangirl moment for sure.

✨ Presenting twice more: once on our work in preventing sexual violence in the mining industry with Jacqui Hendriks and Sharyn Burns at the Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health (CERIPH), and another time facilitating a Bloom-Ed workshop on advocating for better sexuality education. Big ideas were shared, and I am excited to see where they take us.

✨ Seeing old and new colleagues from Curtin University and ARCSHS (Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University) presenting on important research.

But most of all, I loved turning Zoom friends into real-life pals. Connecting over our shared passions left me feeling so energised. It also made me reflect on how proud I am to be part of the Partners in Prevention of Sexual Violence project, especially as I saw some of the delivery partners we are working with from Sexual Health Quarters and Brisbane Youth Service. Fingers crossed, we'll get to share our evaluation findings at the next WAS!