The Research Symposium was first launched by SMF faculty and students in 2009 to bring together an academic community of shared interests in scholarship and research. It is our hope that it will continue to serve as a forum for growth and development within the fields of sexuality, relationships, and families, as well as provide a space for future innovations and professional exploration. The SMF department encourages an overarching vision of social justice and anti-oppression through research and scholarship, and emphasizes the importance of that vision through the Research Symposium.

Each year, the SMF Symposium offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to present their research and engage in critical discussions about important issues in the relationships and sexuality fields. These critical discussions often take on a practical or applied focus – how research translates into practice in the human services fields. The Symposium team remains committed to creating a venue where we can explore and discuss theory and research in critical and accessible ways! 

We hope that you will add your voice to these important discussions and join us for the next Symposium. The 10th Annual SMF Research Symposium was originally planned to take place in April 2020 but could not take place due to COVID-19.  With heavy hearts we have had to postpone, but we look forward to inviting you to the rescheduled 10th Annual SMF Research Symposium on April 12, 2023. The theme for the upcoming Symposium is From Singular to Plural: Developments and Intersections in the Study of Sexualities, Relationships, and Families.

The SMF department invites proposals for presentations on sexualities, relationships, or families for the 2023 Symposium. Please submit your 200-300 word abstract and short CV to carl.rodrigue@uwaterloo.ca Graduate and undergraduate research is encouraged.