About us
The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) is a centre for social research into sexuality, health and the social dimensions of human relationships. It works collaboratively and in partnership with communities, community-based organisations, government and professionals in relevant fields to produce research that advances knowledge and promotes positive change in policy, practice and people's lives.
Our mission will be achieved by pursuing the following three aims:
- Aim 1: Build new knowledge
- Aim 2: Build research impact
- Aim 3: Build a strong research centre
Our history
ARCSHS is located within the College of Science, Health and Engineering and the School of Psychology of Public Health at La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Since it was founded in 1993, ARCSHS has become the major player in framing the agenda on, and delivering the evidence to understand, sex and sexuality in contemporary Australia, particularly in relation to health, education and social justice.
The Centre uses an inter-disciplinary approach to research, and includes staff with expertise in:
- sociology
- psychology
- anthropology
- cultural studies
- history
- gender and sexuality studies
- education
- political science
- public health
- community education.
ARCSHS has unique expertise in community-engaged research, particularly working with marginalised and difficult-to-reach communities. The Centre specialises in using research findings to produce training and educational resources for practitioners and to advise policy development.
ARCSHS receives funding from a range of sources including national competitive grant funding through the Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council, contracts and consultancies with state and federal government departments, and grants from non-government organisations, philanthropic organisations and industry.