Advancing sexual science: Strategic analysis and planning

If sexual science is to advance, sexual scientists must strategically analyze critical issues and strategically plan their future. Four critical issues must be solved: (a) increasing recognition, (b) developing scientists, (c) securing resources, and (d) reducing sex‐negative bias. The strategy for the overall direction of sexual science is determined by prioritizing strategic areas. The driving force—the principle criterion for planning and decision‐making—of sexual science is: technology—broadly conceived as a scholarly body of knowledge, reproducible and subject to frequent updating and extension through scientific research. In the past, members’ needs were the driving force of organizations like the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex. However, if sexual science is to advance, sexual scientists must recognize that their central purpose is the advancement of sexual knowledge. The mission of sexual science is: (a) to advance scientific knowledge of human sexuality, (b) to develop sexual scientists, and (c) to promote human welfare. Scientific theories and knowledge provide the foundation for educational and clinical applications by sexologists. Advancing scientific knowledge of sexuality must become a preeminent vision shared by all scientists and professionals to become a reality.

Key words:

• sexuality
• sexual science
• The Society for the Scientific Study of Sex