Exciting news: Sex and Psychology is expanding! Please join us in warmly welcoming Zoe Moscovici, our newest team member. Zoe’s arrival this week marks an important step in furthering our mission to provide you with science-based sex education. We’re excited to have her on board as we continue to bring you evidence-based sexual health information!
Zoe is a third-year PhD student in Gender Studies at Indiana University Bloomington. Originally from Philadelphia, Zoe is deeply immersed in her roles as a graduate research assistant at the Kinsey Institute and an editorial assistant for Journal of Sex Research. With a research focus on sex work, vulvar pain, communication and disability studies, Zoe is passionate about translating insider academic information about sex into relevant content for a wider audience. We look forward to working with Zoe at Sex and Psychology!
Q: What sparked your initial interest in sex research and how did you decide to pursue it as a career path?
ONE: My fascination with sex research began when I first learned about the concept of sex. Coming from a family of researchers, it felt natural to ask questions and seek a deeper understanding of everything around me. The taboo nature of the subject made it difficult to find information, which made it all the more interesting! The more I delved into it, the more I realized its endless complexity and involvement. Sex is related to almost everything and everyone. Choosing a career in sex research was an easy decision for me as I knew it would be a field that would constantly evolve, challenge and interest me.
Q: Working as a graduate research assistant at the Kinsey Institute must be exciting. Can you share an unforgettable experience or project you were involved in during your time there?
ONE: Working at the Kinsey Institute has been really interesting, especially amidst the challenges of state legislation that prevents public funding for our research. Despite the logistical hurdle, it has been truly encouraging to witness the amazing community support for sex research. It reinforces the value and importance of our work and motivates us to persevere and innovate in our field. I also have amazing mentors and colleagues, and it’s so great to learn from people who are so passionate and dedicated.
Q: Can you tell us a little more about your research interests and what excites you about these topics?
ONE: My research interests focus on sex work, vulvovaginal pain and disability studies. I find that people dealing with these issues in their daily lives often struggle to get accurate and compassionate sexual health care. I am deeply invested in debunking medical myths to better educate physicians on how best to approach these critical issues.
Q: In your opinion, what is the most important thing for people to know about the field of sex research and how it can positively impact society?
ONE: The more knowledge we have about sex, the more power we have. Ignoring the issue does not negate its presence in our lives. Almost everyone is affected by or experiences sex in some way. Our research aims to prepare people with information for better experiences and often focuses on preventing negative sexual experiences that can lead to pain, trauma or disease.
Q: What made you want to get into Sex and Psychology?
ONE: I am passionate about translating inside academic information about sex into relevant and understandable content for young people. I think sexual research reveals some amazing information, but many people don’t have full access to it, even if they have a great interest in the subject. I see my role as a “translator” of sexual research to the public, and I believe that Sex and Psychology aligns perfectly with this goal.
Q: What do you like to do apart from being a student and researcher?
ONE: In addition to my academic work, I am committed to social justice, particularly in food security, housing affordability, and community building. Living in a co-op for the last few years has allowed me to incorporate these values into my everyday life, which makes me really happy. I also enjoy doing yoga and spending time with my cat, Sunny.
Q: Where can people find you?
Instagram: @zoe_thesexologist
Twitter/X: @zmoscovici
Welcome to Sex and Psychology, Zoe!
Image Credits: Photos courtesy of Zoe Moscovici
