The ‘good sex’ project; tracing research impact over time Dr Ester McGeeney OU Health Symposium 25th November

‘Good sex’?: Building evidence based practice in young people’s sexual health ESRC knowledge exchange project: (2013 – 2014) What is ‘good sex’?: Young people, sexual pleasure and sexual health services PhD research (2009 – 2013)

What is good sex?: Young people, sexual pleasure and sexual health services A survey of 278 young people aged 16 – 25. 4 focus groups with young people (16-22). 16 individual interviews with young people (16-22) + A survey of 39 practitioners working with young people.

From research practice  A one day training course for practitioners on engaging young people in conversations about pleasure. A series of films that reanimate original data to communicate findings to young audiences. A blog that documents methods of knowledge exchange. https://goodsexproject.wordpress.com 

Knowledge transfer vs knowledge exchange ‘knowledge parcels for grateful recipients’ ‘knowledge interaction’ & ‘messy engagement.’ (Davies et al (2008) Why 'knowledge transfer' is misconceived for applied social research, J Health Serv Res Policy 2008 13: 188)

Michael’s story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpnUO-Is-qY

Indiah’s story ‘That wasn’t my own story but Indiah’s story is the same for a lot of young women. For a lot of people sex does get better over time. That is the core thing about having sex with a partner – no-one has sex just for sake of having sex, people have sex with the aim of pleasuring themselves and pleasuring the other person in the same process. ‘ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBQ_9O9CeFI&index=3&list=PLzvJrGDqP_20Ioxsv8Mfj3s3-lzR8z6Uh

‘Look out through the eyes of the person who is talking ‘Look out through the eyes of the person who is talking. You are looking out into the environment that you were imagining. What’s above you? Look down at your feet- look to one side and then to the other. What is the air like? Are you inside? Is it warm? Cool? What’s the quality of the air like?’

‘From working with some of the young people before and after the project, I have been able to see that their confidence improved during the life of the project. I think this was probably because they were provided with a genuine opportunity to take ownership of the project, built team work skills and engaged in creative activities.’ (Former Head of Participation at Brook)

‘I’m order to make social and political change, I believe you have to listen and learn from people’s experiences. By creating these videos of real young people’s experiences it can powerfully challenge damaging misunderstandings about sex. It can also be use to open up discussions around consent and sexuality, which are often ignored. With our videos we wanted to make young people aware that first time sex does not have to hurt, that sex is about pleasuring yourself and/or your partner/s.’ (Young volunteer)

‘Look out through the eyes of the person who is talking ‘Look out through the eyes of the person who is talking. You are looking out into the environment that you were imagining. What’s above you? Look down at your feet- look to one side and then to the other. What is the air like? Are you inside? Is it warm? Cool? What’s the quality of the air like?’

Thank you! ester.mcgeeney@brook.org.uk @estermcgeeney http://goodsexproject.wordpress.com/