Research in focus: Samantha Dawson

Name:

Samantha Dawson

Title:

Assistant Professor

Department/Unit:

Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts
Member of the Women’s Health Research Cluster

Are you Faculty or Staff?

Faculty

Location:

Vancouver

What year did you start working at UBC?

2020

Provide an overview of your research in 75 words or less:

The overarching goal of my multi-method research program is to identify factors that promote sexual health and function, and then use these to develop empirically supported interventions for individuals and couples experiencing sexual dysfunction.

What first motivated you (or motivates you) to conduct your research?

Sex is one of the most basic and universal human experiences and is linked with better physical and mental health, yet it is poorly understood. One constant source of motivation for my work is creating new knowledge that not only has an impact within my field, but also in people’s lives. As a clinical psychologist, I am passionate about integrating my research into clinical practice.

What do you hope will change as a result of this research?

When it comes to sex, we most often receive our information from the media, which unfortunately presents oversimplified and sometimes inaccurate messages about what is normal and how sex should be. I hope that by translating my research to the public that men and women will be able to access accurate information about their sexualities. This in turn will contribute to better relationships, health, and well-being.

Are there any research collaborators you’d like to acknowledge and why?

I am fortunate to have had some of the most incredible mentors and collaborators from across Canada. I am excited to forge new collaborations with many sexual medicine researchers and clinicians in the city. I feel particularly lucky that I am now in a position where I get to share my excitement for research and mentor the next generation of sex scientists here at UBC.

What have you learned during your research that has surprised you the most?

The best thing about being a sex scientist is that there is so much that we still don’t know. A common misconception is that men have higher sexual desire than women. My research has helped to challenge this view, demonstrating that men and women can—and do—have similar levels of desire.