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Research Participation Request: Constructing Asexual Identities and Intimacy in a Sexualised World


existentialia

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existentialia

Hello everyone,

Another research participation request here. My name is Nina Nouripanah and I am a final year doctoral student on the DPsych Counselling Psychology programme at Regent’s University, London (England). This announcement is fairly long, so please bear with me – I wanted to try to ensure that you all get a relatively clear idea (I hope) of the research and its aims.

The working title of my research project is: “Identity, intimacy, and self-other relations: Constructing asexual identities and intimacy in a sexualised world. A critical discursive account.”

I am looking to recruit persons identifying as asexual (anywhere along the asexual spectrum) age 18 or over to take part in either:

1) In-person discussion groups (of 3 to 4 participants which would take place in and around the London area)

2) In-person individual interviews (also in and around the London area)

3) Video-Skype individual interviews (any area/country – please note: only the audio will be recorded)

To help you decide whether you are interested in taking part, here is a little bit about the research and its aims:

What is this study about, and what are its aims?

In our highly sexualised world, dominant representations and discourses of (romantic) connection often equate ‘intimacy’ with sex. Lust is seen as central to the modern concept of romantic love. However, it seems remiss to assume that those who have little or no sexual desire and/or attraction do not experience or have an interest in ‘intimacy’. What is the meaning of ‘intimacy’ to persons identifying as asexual? How is it understood, experienced, negotiated, practiced?

Viewing persons identifying as asexual as active and creative agents, this study aims to explore how those who identify as asexual talk about and understand ‘intimacy’ (as individually and personally defined) in relation to their identity, and the implications of these understandings upon their relationship with themselves, others, and the world.

This research also aims to facilitate the challenging of the (oftentimes oppressive and marginalising) dominant normative assumptions and ideals, thus allowing individuals, health professionals and society at large to be more reflective about (a)sexuality, and critical of taken-for-granted notions and understandings of ‘intimacy’.

Interested in taking part?

If you are interested in taking part in this research please contact me at nina.nouripanah@regents.ac.uk and/or ninanouripanah@gmail.com. I will be happy to answer any questions or queries that you may have in relation to the research and its process.

Please also be assured that this study is strictly anonymous and confidential. Details as to the measures taken to maintain confidentiality and anonymity are outlined in the Participant Information Leaflets that I will provide.

The discussion groups should take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in total, and the individual interviews should be no longer than 1 to 1.5 hours in total. Both are intended to be fairly informal relaxed conversations. Please note that whilst it may seem long, I would rather overestimate than underestimate the time needed.

This research has been granted approval by the university’s Research Ethics Committee and is supervised by Dr. Anna Butcher and Prof. Martin Milton.

I look forward to collaborating with some of you soon!

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This study has been approved by the Project Team, and the In-Person study has been approved by the entire AVEN Staff for advertising(Admods and Project Team).

Steph
Dedicated Research Contact.

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Thank you for doing this. I'm not interested in participating, but I'm glad you're doing it! :D :cake:

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Rainbow~Sprinkles

I would really like to participate, but I live in Australia and don't have a Skype account. Does anybody know how difficult it is to set up a Skype account? And if there's overseas charges?

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it's very easy to set up a Skype account and there are no charges :)

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I would really like to participate, but I live in Australia and don't have a Skype account. Does anybody know how difficult it is to set up a Skype account? And if there's overseas charges?

Skype is super easy to download and sign up for. Voice and video Skype-to-Skype (online) calls are completely free, but there is a small charge for Skype-to-landline calls. The original post makes it sound like the OP will be using the Skype-to-Skype option, so it should be completely free for you. :) Hope this helps!

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existentialia

Hello all,

Thank you for answering Rainbow~Sprinkles' query! I appreciate it. A Skype account is very easy to set up, and as Windchaser correctly asserts, I will be using a Skype-to-Skype option and therefore it is completely free for all.

Rainbow~Sprinkles - Thank you for your interest in participation! If you are still interested, please send me a private message or email me at one of the email addresses that I listed in the original post to register your interest.

With Great Thanks and Best Wishes,

Nina

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hey! What sort of time frame are you expecting the discussion to take place? I may be moving to London later on in the year, but I'm not currently living there so depending on that I may be interested in participating

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  • 3 weeks later...
existentialia

Hello all,

Firstly, Mememaster96 - apologies for not getting back to you sooner; I had forgotten to check the forums for any additional queries. I am hoping to begin data collection in the next few coming weeks - I do not know if this helps to clarify anything for you...?

Secondly, and of note, I am in the process of trying to organise all the responses that I have had thus far. I had hoped to be done with this last week but I have been a bit delayed due to the amount of wonderful interest that has been shown, which has by far exceeded my expectations. I am in the process of speaking to my Supervisory Team at present to ensure that I proceed in the best way possible.

I am posting here in the hopes that those who have contacted me will see this, and be assured that I have not forgotten about re-initiating contact! I will be in touch with everyone again as soon as possible!

Thank you all for your interest and for your patience. I am both incredibly heartened and grateful.

With many many thanks and best wishes,

Nina

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