Research & Conferences

Dr. Jess’ research interests in the field of human include HIV/AIDS, sexual health education, sexual pleasure and gendered sexuality. Her doctoral work included the development, delivery, and evaluation of a training program for teachers in sexual health education.

Recent presentations include:

Consent Event Symposium 

• Sex Talk Panel (2017)

Life Balance Conference

• Myths About Sex & Love (2017)
• Women’s Only Intensive Program (2017)

CAEM Annual Conference

• The Power of Collaboration (2016)
• Digital Engagement for Higher Returns (2016)

Guelph Sexuality Conference

• The Politics of Pleasure: Sex Versus Food (2016)

The 12th Biennial Western Canadian Sexual Health Conference

• Strategic Resource Collaboration and Creation (2016)
• The Conversation Continues (2016)

Ophea Conference 

• Human Development & Sexual Health (2016)
• Mental Health & Sex Education (2016)

Women’s Health & Wellness Luncheon

• Spice Up Your Relationship! (2016)

Body, Sex, and Business

• Empowered Women: From The Boardroom to the Bedroom (2015-Present)

Thompson Educational Publishing Webinar

• The New Ontario Sex-Ed Curriculum (What You Need to Know) (2015)

SEYRAC High School 

• Healthy Relationship Workshop (2015)

TDSB Envision Conference

• Weaving the Sexual Web (2015)

Humber College: HSF Real Talks

• Sex in the Dark (2015)
• Sex & Relationships in College (2014)

Inspire! Toronto International Book Fair

• Sexual Empowerment For All (2014)
• Intimacy, Passion & Sex (2014)

Playground Conference

• Vanilla is not a Four Letter Word (2014)

TedX Vancouver

Monogamish: The New Rules of Marriage (2014)

EnVision Schools Conference

• Sexual Identity Politics (2014)

Dare to Stand Out: Canada’s First National LGBTQ Service Provider’s Summit

• Accessibility Matters: How to include everyone in our community (2013)

City of Toronto – Adapted and Integrated Services

• Managing Sex and Relationship Issues for Special Needs Clients – Staff Training (2013 & 2012)
• Introduction to Sexuality for Special Needs Clients – Staff Training (2011 & 2010)

Sex After Cancer

• Managing the Physical, Emotional & Practical Challenges of Sex After Cancer (2012)

Spoke Social Series for Women

• 3 Steps to Sexual Empowerment (2012)

Toronto District School Board – Professional Development in Health and Physical Education

• Sexual Education for Teachers – Senior Level (2012-Present)
• Write Your Way to Success (2016)

OISE/University of Toronto

• Pre-service Teacher Training in Sexual Health Education (2012 – Present)
• Sexual Health Education – Teacher Employment Preparation Centre (2010 – Present)

Charles Sturt University

• Human Development and Sexuality Training for Bachelor of Primary Education Studies Candidates (2011 & 2010)

University of Wisconsin Steven’s Point

• Sex in the Dark: Sex Education for Adults (2011)

Alberta Positive Voices Conference

• Hotter and Safer: Quality of Life Approaches for Serodiscordant Couples (2011)
• Sexual Strategies for People Living with HIV/AIDS: overcoming challenges, celebrating diversity and addressing the stigma of HIV/AIDS (2009)

Unity Conference Toronto

• Beyond the Box: The Sexual Web (2011)
• Sexual Labelling: The social, economic, personal and health consequences of sexual labels (2008)
• Media Portrayals: An analysis of queer representations in the media (2009 & 2006)

CAHR’s Canadian Conference On HIV/AIDS Research

• Teacher Training in HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Education (2010)

OHTN Research Conference

• Teacher Training in Sexual Health Education: Doctoral Research Findings (2010)

Central Opening Doors Conference

• Healthy Sex: Busting Myths, Embracing Health and Enjoying Sexual Pleasure (2010)

Open Prairie Conference for Clinical and Non-Clinical HIV Service Providers and PHAs

• Safer Sex for Serodiscordant Couples: Strategies for safety and pleasure (2009)
• Healthy Sexuality for People Living with HIV/AIDS: Managing stigma, overcoming practical challenges and promoting quality of life (2009)

Fort McMurray HIV/HCV Symposium

• Healthy Sexual Relationships: Cultivating healthy relationships in the context of safer sex, gender equality and HIV/AIDS (2009)
• Negotiating Safer Sex For Youth: Strategies for empowering youth to make healthy sexual decisions, develop behavioural skills to reduce the risk of HIV transmission (2009)
• Healthy Sex for People Living with HIV and STIs (2009)

Wood Buffalo HIV/AIDS Society – Staff and Community Training

• The Sex-Positive Perspective in Clinical Practice (2009)

Alberta Community Council On HIV

• HIV and Safer Sex: A Quality of Life Approach (2009)

Wood Buffalo Symposium on HIV

• Personal Sexual Enrichment for People Living with HIV/AIDS (2008)
• Childhood Sexual Development (2008)