Importance of the Research
Over the past two decades, health and social issues related to sexual behaviour have increased in urgency. Teens are far more likely to engage in sex before they finish high school now than three decades ago. Not only are more teenagers becoming sexually active, but they are also engaging in risky sexual intercourse. This risky behavior has long-term repercussions affecting both physical and mental health. Further, we speculate it has unknown effects on unfolding sexual identity and related self-regulations of impulses and desires.
Community University Research
The AWTY CURA aims to produce and mobilize knowledge that is jointly useful to university researchers and community organizations in the fields of teen sexuality, education programming, and participatory theatre.
The strength and uniqueness of this project lies in the diversity of its inter-organizational, interdisciplinary, and national membership. This group’s research will showcase and highlight the benefits of linking community, community organizations, and universities in addressing issues of pressing importance.
Research On What?
Program assessment: AWTY CURA will assess and evaluate whether and how AWTY? helps teens develop and improve sexual decision making.
2006 Report to Edmonton Public School Board
2007 Report to Edmonton Public School Board
2008 Report to Edmonton Public School Board
Community needs: AWTY CURA will learn what program changes are needed to make AWTY? useful and relevant in different cultural and regional settings, including rural, urban and Aboriginal communities across Canada.
Prevention Science: AWTY CURA will contribute to researchers’ and programmers’ understandings of what interventions and educational strategies have most impact on teens’ capacity to choose healthy and safe expressions of their sexuality. The role of Identity Style decision making will be examined in depth.
Theatre as a tool: AWTY CURA will assess the strength and value of using theatre in community and educational programming, with particular emphasis on participatory processes and forms.
Models for health promotion: AWTY CURA will assess culturally and socially effective community partnerships and mobilization models for health promotion and harm reduction.
Impacts of the research
AWTY CURA Academic Publications
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