Student's event series satisfies public desire for 'sex and science' research

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What factors influence who we’re attracted to? Does intelligence increase attractiveness? How can we use marketing strategies to improve our online dating profiles?

We spoke to the Goldsmiths student who’s created Empirical Sex: a monthly pub meet-up that asks the questions debates the answers, and helps satisfy a public curiosity for scientific research on sex, sexuality, and gender.

Elisa Misu Solaris from South Yorkshire previously worked as a vintage hair and make-up artist and now combines studying for an undergraduate degree in the Department of Psychology with exploring her passion for paraphilia research. Her current project investigates a possible link between autistic characteristics and unusual sexual interests, a research area she is planning to continue for her PhD.

So why the interest in ‘sex and science’?

"I just find the variation of sexual interests out there absolutely fascinating and with the growth of online sub-cultures focussed around unusual sexual practices it is now possible to discover more about how and why this variation occurs,” Elisa explains.

“For example, why would someone be sexually attracted to an inanimate object that has no reproductive potential?”

Elisa launched her Empirical Sex events earlier this year. She frequently attends evening lectures but realised that even in open-minded, relaxed, academic environments there was still no platform for researchers to discuss the controversial topics of sex, sexuality and gender differences.

“After further investigation I found a few groups that spoke about gender politics, the law and sex practices, for example, but none that took an evidence-based interest.

“The aim of Empirical Sex is to move away from political opinions and agendas and listen, share and discuss research in a relaxed and open environment."

Empirical Sex events are open to all and aimed at people with any level of existing knowledge - or none – about the subjects discussed.

“I think that it's very important for all research to be accessible to the public,” Elisa adds. “Sex research in particular though seems to be very rarely discussed in a public forum. It’s a very sensitive topic and it has to be approached as such; but everyone wants to find out more about themselves and what drives theirs and other people's behaviour.

"Sex is a huge part of life but research about it is regularly misinterpreted in the media or hidden away in academic journals."

The talks take place on the first Thursday of every month in the cosy surroundings of The Bell Pub (close to Liverpool Street) and feature some of the country’s pioneering experts in the science of sex, sexuality and gender differences.

After Dr Mairi Macleod’s (www.sexyscience.co) recent talk on myths of attraction, upcoming guests include intelligence and evolution researcher Dr Rosalind Arden discussing why brainy is the new sexy, Dr Stuart Ritchie (author of popular science book ‘Intelligence’) revealing new data on sex differences in IQ, and marketer and former radio host David Frank with his top tips on how to use science to better market yourself on dating sites.

Priced at just £4/5 a head, the monthly events aim to bring fascinating academic research to new audiences, and aren’t afraid to be controversial or delve into the darker side of the subject.

This year’s speakers so far have included Richard Greenhill on dacryphilia - the non-normative sexual interest that involves enjoyment or arousal from tears and crying – and Kings College’s Dr Qazi Rahman on gender and sexuality. A podcast of Dr Rahman’s talk is now available.

Visit www.empiricalsex.com for more information and event listings, or email empiricalsex@gmail.com to join Elisa's mailing list.