LAB LEAD

Dr. Alan Martino (he/him) is an Assistant Professor in the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies program in the Department of Community Health Sciences (Cumming School of Medicine) at the University of Calgary. His main research interests are in critical disability studies, gender and sexualities; feminist and critical disability studies theories; qualitative and community-based research (particularly participatory and inclusive research methodologies). His work has been published in multiple journals, including Disability Studies Quarterly, Canadian Disability Studies Journal, and Culture, Health and Sexuality, as well as edited volumes focused on disability and/or sexualities studies.

STUDENT LAB LEAD

Eleni found a passion for the field and, especially, the topic of disability and online dating. Together with Dr. Martino, she had the opportunity to publish her first academic paper on this fascinating topic. Currently, she is working on a project looking at the experiences of 2SLGBTQ+ people with disabilities and their family members regarding intimate relationships

"My love for this research area stems from how diverse, and ever-changing, perspectives are within disability and sexuality research. Through my work with Dr. Martino, I have had the opportunity to learn about forms of ableism and oppression and the lack of inclusion existing in various environments that shape the intimate lives of disabled people. This type of research is crucial because it propels these vital conversations and continues to promote inclusion."

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Naomi is a research assistant with Dr. Martino who co-creates accessible resources and is developing a workshop around sexuality to support disability service organizations and self-advocates. She is co-authoring a chapter on disability and sexuality in the world's first Encyclopedia of Sexuality.

"Everyone deserves to be sexual, intimate, and to express desires without judgement. Advocacy and education is critical to progressing these rights. I am especially passionate about promoting sex education that includes diverse identities and abilities as valid ways of being sexy!"

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Noah is interested in inclusive sex education and passionate about accessibility in queer spaces. He is currently involved in projects surrounding 2SLGBTQ+ people labelled/with intellectual and developmental disabilities and has co-facilitated a knowledge translation presentation on this topic.

“I believe that it’s important for everyone to have the opportunity to feel like they belong. Access to spaces and information is necessary to cultivate this sense of belonging. My passion for this work is fuelled by the chance to challenge normative ideas of intimacy, and the opportunity to amplify disabled voices. Through my work with the Disability & Sexuality Lab, I have had the opportunity to grow connections with the community and develop my knowledge translation skills. “

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Miila’s research interests involve the intersection of intellectual and cognitive disabilities in the treatment of women’s health conditions. She is also immersed in projects about her experiences of being a disabled scholar in academia, and "cripping" mentorship to challenge institutional biases.

“Researching women’s health from a critical disability studies lens has been profound. In addition, having the opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Martino, has been a groundbreaking experience, especially as a chronically ill student. My passion for advocacy has grown immensely since becoming a research assistant with the lab. I truly believe that the field of women’s health and disability needs to be researched, to ensure that everybody, regardless of ability status can access comprehensive women’s healthcare.”

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Rachell is an incoming second-year university student in the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies program at the University of Calgary. She is a strong advocate for destigmatizing intimacy and promoting sexual wellness. She is particularly interested in disability and sex work and diversifying sexual education to redefine and broaden current understandings of sexuality.

“Education and access to information are essential to facilitating safe and consensual intimacy, and everyone should have the right to explore, discover, and enjoy their sexual life. I became interested in this field because of its ability to bring about social change through challenging traditional perceptions of ability and sexuality.”

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Thomas is currently in his fourth year, pursuing a social work major with minors in global development and gender and sexuality studies. He is excited to broaden his knowledge in the field of disability and sexuality, creating community resources alongside working on a project to understand the romantic and sexual experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Alberta. He is hoping to pursue further research interests in queer and crip joy within digital contexts.

"Studying resistance against oppression has always been an interest of mine. Working in the disability and sexuality lab has been an eye-opening experience, studying how disabled queer folx build communities and challenge dominant narratives. My interest in disability and sexuality research has grown after seeing the potential of social change that research can offer."

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Jordan is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, pursuing a combined degree in Psychology and Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. She passionately navigates academia as a neurodivergent, pansexual, and chronically ill/disabled individual. Dedicated to inclusivity, she channels her passion from her own lived experiences, striving to amplify marginalized voices, fostering inclusivity in academia and society at large. Jordan aspires to disrupt neuro-normative and ableist paradigms, contributing to the understanding and acceptance of diverse communities.

“Everyone deserves a space to be unapologetically themselves, sharing their valuable narratives, regardless of dis/ability. Research and advocacy are essential in the disability and neurodiversity space, and I hope to continue to challenge norms and create a more compassionate, informed world for individuals with varied identities and experiences through my work with Dr. Martino.”

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Melissa is in her fourth year of the Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies program at the University of Calgary. She is currently working with other members of the Disability & Sexuality Lab on a research project that explores representations of disability and sexuality in AI-generated art. Melissa previously presented her work on the missing discourse of sexual pleasure in Canadian sex education programs for people labeled/with developmental disabilities at the 2024 BHSc/BCR research symposium. She will present her current project at the upcoming Canadian Sociological Association conference in Montreal.

"I believe that we, as professionals, scholars, and advocates, cannot proclaim to support autonomy, choice-making, and rights-based approaches if we fail to recognize and respect the sexual agency and sexual rights of disabled people. Relationships, love, romance, and sexual pleasure should not be contingent on meeting an ability norm. The Sex & Disability Lab’s work sheds light on topics that have long been overlooked and I am excited to be a part of projects that are creating social change!"