Special issue introduction: Research presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Canadian Sex Research Forum, Kingston, Ontario, October 23–25, 2014

As President-Elect of the Canadian Sex Research Forum (CSRF), I am thrilled to be introducing this special issue of The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (CJHS), featuring a selection of adapted research presentations from the 41st annual meeting which took place in Kingston, Ontario, in October 2014. This is the 7th special issue of CJHS based on CSRF presentations (previously 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2002, and 2014), and on behalf of the CSRF executive committee, we are thrilled about our ongoing collaboration with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) which produces CJHS. SIECCAN’s role in CSRF in the form of judging student presentations and funding one of the student awards over the past many years has contributed to a longstanding and rewarding relationship between CSRF and SIECCAN and the CJHS, and we look forward to continuing this collaboration as CSRF thrives in the years ahead.

Having attended CSRF consistently since 2007, I can honestly say that this is my favourite scientific meeting! The high level scientific presentations, the opportunity to network and form new collaborations, and the chance to spend time with our Canadian sex research family keeps CSRF programmed into my annual Fall travel plans. If attendance rates over the past few CSRF meetings are any indication of future trends, it is evident that CSRF will continue to grow in size and stature. Be sure to visit the CSRF website at www.canadiansexresearchforum.com for information on how to become a CSRF member and to register for the next annual meeting.

In this special issue of the CJHS, readers will be exposed to some of the best contemporary sex research presented at CSRF. Ranging from a critical analysis of prostitution laws in Canada (Davies), to online survey-based sexuality research with undergraduate (Dunkley, Goldsmith & Gorzalka) and community samples (Bossio, Pukall, & Bartley; Mark, Garcia, & Fisher), to sexual health behaviours (Camilleri, Kohut, & Fisher), to qualitative research with unique populations (Handy, Wassersug, Ketter & Johnson), to predictors of sexual aggression (Baer, Kohut, & Fisher), to sexual satisfaction and intimacy (Birnie-Porter & Hunt), and to a historical analysis of Jewish women’s experience of sexuality during the Holocaust (Chalmers), this special issue is a glimpse into the wonderful diversity in methods, populations, and approaches to sexuality research presented at CSRF.

A special word of thanks to the CJHS Editorial Board reviewers of this special issue who carefully reviewed all submitted manuscripts, and whose suggestions for revisions improved the quality of the articles published in this issue. On behalf of CSRF and SIECCAN, I trust you find this special issue of CJHS on research presented at the 41st CSRF annual meeting to be both informative and reflective of the high scientific and academic standards of the Canadian sex research community.