Cynthia A. Graham

Dr. Cynthia Ann Margaret Graham is a distinguished clinical psychologist and health psychologist with over four decades of experience in clinical practice, research, and academia. Born in Montreal, Canada, she holds British residency and is currently a Senior Scientist and Professor at Indiana University's Kinsey Institute and Department of Gender Studies. Dr. Graham's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Stirling, followed by a Master of Applied Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Glasgow and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from McGill University, where she earned recognition on the Dean’s Honour List. Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Graham has held numerous academic and clinical positions at prestigious institutions. She served as a Professor of Sexual and Reproductive Health at the University of Southampton and co-directed the Centre for Clinical and Community Applications of Health Psychology. At the University of Oxford, she was a Senior Research Fellow and a tutor for the Oxford Doctoral Course in Clinical Psychology. Her longstanding association with Indiana University has seen her in roles ranging from Clinical Assistant Professor to Senior Faculty Advisor for the Sexual Health Research Working Group. Dr. Graham's research interests focus primarily on sexual health, reproductive psychology, and the psychophysiological aspects of sexuality. She has made significant contributions to understanding sexual inhibition and excitation, the effects of oral contraceptives on mood and sexuality, and factors influencing sexual arousal and well-being. Her expertise in sexual health has led her to serve as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sex Research since 2008 and as a member of the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5 Workgroup on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. A prolific author and researcher, Dr. Graham has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals on topics ranging from sexual dysfunction and reproductive health to the psychology of contraception and sexual behavior. She has been actively involved in many high-impact studies funded by institutions like the National Institute of Health Research and the Medical Research Council. Dr. Graham’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Masters and Johnson Award from the Society for Sex Therapy and Research in 2023 and the Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality in 2016. As a thought leader in the field, she has also served as President of the International Academy of Sex Research and played a vital role in organizing international conferences on sexual health and behavior. In addition to her research and academic achievements, Dr. Graham is dedicated to teaching and mentorship. She has developed and taught various undergraduate and graduate courses, guiding countless students in clinical psychology and health psychology. Her unwavering commitment to advancing sexual health research and education continues to impact both academic and clinical communities worldwide.