Research panel marks Kinsey’s 60th anniversary

The Kinsey Institute will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a research panel discussion at the Monroe County Public Library. The event will start at 7 p.m. Thursday, when six panelists will present their current research. \n“We don’t usually talk about our research,” said Jennifer Bass, director of communications for the Kinsey Institute, “so it’s a great opportunity for the researchers ... to allow (the public) to relate what we’re doing to what’s going on in their everyday lives.” \nTwo of the panelists will be Heather Bradshaw and Sari van Anders, new faculty members in the psychology and brain sciences department. The other panelists will be Julia Heiman, Kinsey director, Stephanie Sanders, associate director and gender studies professor, Erick Janssen, associate scientist and researcher and Heather Rupp, a postdoctoral research fellow.\n“We’re doing it as a service to the community to explain what we’re doing,” Janssen said. The last research panel was in 2003 to celebrate the anniversary of a book being published, Janssen said.\nAccording to the Kinsey Institute Web site, current research topics include sexual decision-making, women’s sexuality and well-being and intimate relationships and couples. Janssen said, however, the audience will be able to ask questions and that the panel is open for discussion.\n“There’s a lot of controversy around sex research,” Janssen said. “It’s important for us to try to explain what we’re doing. There are a lot of misconceptions, so it’s important to stay up to date.”\nJanssen said the Kinsey Institute receives funding from pharmaceutical companies and the government as well as from private contributors. Janssen said there is a political climate involving federal funding for sex-related research that places like Kinsey perform. He said everyone should attend so they can be informed about what’s going on. \n“It’s an opportunity for anyone who is interested in what we’re doing to come on out and see what we do here (at Kinsey),” Janssen said.\nThe event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Kinsey Institute at 855-7686.