The Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies (CSS) brings together researchers and doctoral candidates engaged in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research on sexology and sexuality. Our research is conducted at both national and international levels and addresses a wide range of contemporary and historical issues relating to sexuality.The Centre initiates, leads, and contributes to research projects and collaborative partnerships, while also providing a platform for scholarly exchange through seminars, lectures, and other academic activities. Through these efforts, we advance and disseminate research-informed knowledge within the field.We also work closely with organisations at the local, regional, and national levels to support professional education, professional practice, policy development, and public engagement. By fostering collaboration between academia and wider society, the Centre contributes to the development and application of evidence-based knowledge on sexology and sexuality.

Our vision is to shed light on issues of sexuality in an integrated way. Our research center has an important role to play – sexuality is an ever-current issue.

Charlotta Holmström, Director

Highlights

Swedish delegation at research visit at University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria/Tswane.

CSS is advancing global academic collaboration through a strategic partnership with University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria/Tswane from November 2025 and onwards. The collaboration is led by Associate Professor Mats Lundström at the Faculty of Education and Society. The aim of the research partnerships is to co-developing innovative approaches to sexuality education.

Child friendly environment, social services

Associate Professor Lotta Wendel and Professor Sara Johnsdotter examine the role of special representatives for children in Sweden, focusing on how children’s right to be heard is handled in investigations concerning the ban on female genital mutilation. The study highlights both the importance of these representatives and the structural challenges they face in safeguarding children’s rights.

CSS researcher Charlotta Carlström with colleagues has been awarded 2.5 million SEK from the Postcode Lottery Foundation for the project "Right Sex" [Rätt sex], led by the NGO RFSU in Umeå. The project brings together legal, forensic, and sexological expertise to strengthen the justice system's understanding and handling of consent in sexual practices containing choking, BDSM and hard sex. Congratulations!

Our research

At the Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, we examine questions of sexuality through an interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and holistic approach that integrates perspectives on health, society, lived experience, and clinical practice. Our research addresses sexual and reproductive health, prevention, intervention, care, and treatment, while also exploring sexuality in relation to its social, cultural, and political contexts.

By examining the interplay between societal structures, institutional practices, and individual experiences, we contribute to a deeper understanding of sexuality as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. At the macro level, we investigate how norms, values, and understandings of sexuality are produced, reproduced, and expressed through policy, legislation, and other forms of governance. At the meso level, we explore how services, care, and other interventions are developed to meet people's needs, as well as how such interventions shape and reinforce norms relating to sexuality and gender. At the micro level, our research focuses on lived experiences, relationships, sexual practices, and questions of sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing.

Collectively, our research advances understanding of sexuality in its diverse expressions and contexts. Through this work, the Centre contributes knowledge of relevance to individual health and wellbeing, professional practice, and the broader social conditions that shape people's lives.

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Research themes

Publications

Education

Malmö University and the Faculty of Health and Society offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as a Master's programme in Sexology. As an interdisciplinary field, sexology draws on a wide range of perspectives, and our educational programmes adopt a broad approach that promotes a holistic understanding of sexuality. Our courses highlight sexology as a scientific field of inquiry, addressing both sexuality as a phenomenon and its significance for professional practice. The programmes are closely linked to the Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, ensuring that teaching is informed by current research and contributes to the development of evidence-based knowledge and practice.

Theses from the Faculty of Health and Society

In collaboration with University of Zagreb, Croatia, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, and University of Aveiro, Portugal, we offer the doctoral course "Sexuality and Sexual Health in the 21st Century". The course is aimed to assist doctoral students in the (multidisciplinary) field of sexuality research and sexual health in finalizing their dissertation work/research and in preparing them for future research and academic careers.

Researchers at CSS

Total hits: 30

  • Nada Amroussia – Universitetslektor

    Mittuniversitetet

  • Ann-Sofie Ek – PhD; Leg Sjuksköterska och sexualrådgivare

    Skånes universitetssjukhus

  • Ida Elisabet Hall – Doktorand vid Socialhögskolan

    Lunds universitet

  • Sofia Hammarström – Doctor of Medicine (MD). Forskningsansvarig på Kunskapscentrum för sexuell hälsa

    Västra Götalandsregionen

  • Linda Jolof

    Röda korset

  • Layla Khairallah – Doktorand

    Mälardalens universitet

  • Theodor Mejías Nihlén – Doktorand. Leg. psykolog, sexolog.

    Linköpings universitet

  • Patricia Rocca

    Röda korset

  • Linda Åkeflo – Linda Åkeflo är specialistsjuksköterska i onkologi och medicine doktor MD

    Sahlgrenska universitetssjukhuset

Our centre regularly welcomes visiting scholars, 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

  • Mariah Larsson – Chair

    Professor

    Department of Film and Literature, Linnaeus University

  • Carina Listerborn

    Professor in Urban Planning

    Department of Urban Studies, Malmö University

  • Dawan Raoof

    Associate Professor

    Department of Police Work, Malmö University

  • Karin Örmon

    Associate Professor, Research Leader at the Competence Center on Intimate Partner Violence

    Västra Götaland Region

  • 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

    City of Malmö

  • Niels Ulrik Sørensen

    Professor and Deputy Manager at The Danish Centre for Youth Research (CeFU)

    Aalborg University, Denmark

  • Suzann Larsdotter

    Social worker and Sexologist

    Sexualbyrån Suzann Larsdotter, Stockholm

  • Anna Kjellbom

    Physician and Specialist in General Medicine, Responsible for the Knowledge Platform on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

    Region Skåne

Networks

The Nordic Network for LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ research in the Nordic countries is strong and multi-faceted, but it has largely been done within its respective...

Network for junior researchers in sexology

The network brings together doctoral students and recent graduates doing research in sexology and sexuality-related topics.

Visit us at Niagara

Nordenskiöldsgatan 1, Malmö

Contact