Kinsey Institute (KI)

As a research institute devoted to the study of human sexuality, the Kinsey Institute continues to explore the complexities of sexual and gender diversity and variation in sexual and relationship experiences. We value the rich perspectives that di riences. We value the rich perspectives that different genders, races, religions, ethnicities, abilities, and sexual orientations bring to humanity, and to our professional work. We recognize the barriers that past and ongoing prejudice and oppression present to marginalized communities, and our work aims to combat bias and bigotry by furthering evidence-based knowledge about the diversity and complexity of human experiences. We commit to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and has opportunities for professional and personal development and growth. We welcome and seek out collaborations with diverse groups and individuals whose range of experiences and expertise enrich our research and pedagogy, including and especially issues specific to marginalized communities. Documenting the diversity of the human experience lies at the heart of our research mission and is instrumental to our institutional success. The Flower of Aphrodite is the symbol of the Kinsey Institute. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of desire, love, sexuality, and maternal reproduction. The stylized red anemone, a flower associated with her, is composed of six vesica piscii. Ancient Greeks held the number six sacred for its representation of equilibrium, harmony, and balance. On April 8, 1947, Dr. Alfred Kinsey and his research team incorporated as the Institute for Sex Research (ISR). The institute had two primary goals: to continue the team's research on human sexual behavior; and to administer research resources, including research materials, a library, case histories, and other related materials. In 1981, 25 years after Dr. Kinsey's death, the Institute for Sex Research was renamed The Kinsey Institute for Sex Research in his honor, and today is known as the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Get to know the researchers and staff members dedicated to fostering a greater understanding of human sexuality and relationships. Today, just as in 1947, research at the Kinsey Institute seeks to illuminate the most intimate and formative aspects of our lives. Developments in fields ranging from neuroscience and psychology to biology and gender studies inform questions asked by our scientists. The Kinsey-Kelley Center for Gender Equity in Business addresses issues of gender inequity, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment in the workplace. Solid research on sexual assault, including risk factors for perpetration and victim experience, is the foundation for prevention. The Kinsey Institute's Disability and Sexual Health Initiative (DASHI) works to understand and improve the intimate lives and sexual wellbeing of people with disabilities and their partners. The Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, best known as the Kinsey Scale, was developed in 1948. The scale accounted for research findings that showed people did not fit into exclusive heterosexual or homosexual categories. Condoms are a critical public health strategy for disease and pregnancy prevention. But their effectiveness hinges on more than consistent use. Men and women must also use them correctly. The Kinsey Institute’s Condom Use Research Team (KI-CURT) studies the reasons condoms can fail. ...view more