Sexual behaviour has changed immensely over the past few decades. People are starting earlier, finishing later, and have more partners over their lifetime. One of the key risk factors for contracting a sexually transmitted infection is number of partners. So, in an era where numerous sexual partners are now the norm, what can we do to keep STIs at bay? Is it all about condoms, or will vaccination and screening become more important? What happens when antibiotics against common STIs become useless? And how do attitudes towards sex and STIs need to change?
As part of the Wheeler Centre’s Sex Week, researcher Dr Dyani Lewis weighs the pros and cons of 21st Century promiscuity, and looks at why awareness of STIs has fallen so out of step with sexual mores and habits.
Lunchbox/Soapbox
We love exploring ideas at the Wheeler Centre, and encouraging others to do the same. That’s why every Thursday lunchtime we hand the microphone over to the great thinkers, dreamers and orators of our time.
With a dazzling range of passionate speakers and unusual topics, our soapbox provides a platform for the eclectic, topical and enlightening stories you won’t hear elsewhere. This is the most memorable lunch break you’ll have all week.
If you’re in need of sustenance of body as well as mind, the MOAT lunch cart will be serving delicious $15 lunchboxes in the performance space from 12.20pm.
Featuring
Dyani Lewis
Dyani Lewis is a freelance science journalist based in Melbourne. She has a PhD in plant genetics and has also worked in sexual health research. Her work has been published by ABC online, Cosmos, The Conversation, Australasian Science Magazine and others. She also guest blogs for United Academics Magazine.
Dyani is the science and technology producer and host for Up Close, the University of Melbourne’s weekly research podcast. She is a regular co-host on 3RRR’s Einstein-a-Go-Go science radio show and she has written and recorded for ABC Radio National’s Ockham’s Razor. She occasionally tweets @dyanilewis.