Special Issue of the Journal Sex Education Honors Doug Kirby’s Contributions

New York, NY — The most recent issue of the scientific journal Sex Education, published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, celebrates the significant contributions of the late Dr. Doug Kirby, a senior research scientist at ETR Associates and a major figure in the field of sex education. Doug Kirby transformed the field of sex education with his career-long contributions to research, program development, policy, training, public speaking, and mentoring. He published more than 150 scientific articles, book chapters and monographs on adolescent sexual behavior, and interventions and services to reduce risk taking and improve sexual health. Sex Education is the leading international journal in the field, publishing peer-reviewed research on sex education in a wide range of contexts.

Leslie Kantor, Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Roger Ingham, Professor of Health and Community Psychology at the Centre for Sexual Health Research, School of Psychology at University of Southampton and Ekua Yankah, formerly at UNESCO, Section on HIV and AIDS, Division for the Coordination of UN Priorities in Education served as co-guest editors for the special issue. This special issue features articles by Nicole Cushman, Jill Glassman, India Rose, Lesley Wood, Alison Misselhorn, Elizabeth Lagone, Wenli Liu, Karin K. Coyle, Ashley Murray, and Ralph J. DiClemente.

You can read “Doug Kirby's contribution to the field of sex education,” co-authored by Leslie Kantor, Lori Rolleri and Katherine Kolios, here.

Statement from Leslie Kantor, Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“It was an enormous honor to be invited by Peter Aggleton, the editor-in-chief of Sex Education, to edit this issue — dedicated to my colleague and friend Doug Kirby honoring his lifelong contributions to the field of sex education.

“Doug Kirby was a longtime supporter of Planned Parenthood's work, and was serving on our national advisory board for digital education at the time of his passing. We all miss him, and are grateful for his contributions to sex education.

“The articles in the special issue provide important findings about sex education in both US and global contexts.  A full list of articles can be found here.”

Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of sex education, offers resources, guidance, and effective programs for teens and parents. Every year, Planned Parenthood provides education programs and outreach to 1.5 million people of all ages, and every day, Planned Parenthood works in schools and communities across the country to provide comprehensive sex education programs.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 700 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.