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Dr Hilary Caldwell's research uniquely combines academic methodology with practical understanding. This dual perspective allows her to bridge gaps between theory and reality, challenging academic assumptions while bringing scholarly rigour to real-world experiences.
 

Areas of Expertise:

  • Gender studies and feminist theory

  • Sexual empowerment and gender equality

  • Intersection of sex work and feminism

  • Stigma and social change

  • Making academic concepts accessible
     

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD - University of New South Wales (2018)

  • Masters in Applied Science - University of Sydney (2012)

  • Masters in Health Science (Sexual Health) - University of Sydney (2009)

  • Scarlet Alliance Peer Educator Training (2023)

  • Multiple Certificates in Health Education and Training
     

Academic Positions

  • Visiting Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, Arts & Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (2018-2020)

  • PhD Candidate, University of New South Wales (2012-2018)
     

Publications and Research Impact

  • Author of "Slutdom: Reclaiming Shame-Free Sexuality" (2024), a groundbreaking work on gender equality and sexual empowerment

  • Multiple book chapters on consent law reform and gender politics

  • Published research in leading journals including Sexualities

  • Pioneering research on gender dynamics and stereotypes in Australia
     

Notable Achievements

  • Conducted first worldwide academic study on women's experiences in commercial sexual services (in their home countries)

  • Top Abstract Award for Community and Social Research at UNSW Inaugural Postgraduate Research Symposium (2014)

  • Featured speaker at numerous international conferences including the World Association for Sexual Health Congress

  • Regular contributor to public discourse through media appearances and academic publications

Dr Hilary Caldwell’s research uniquely combines academic methodology with practical understanding. This dual perspective allows her to bridge gaps between theory and reality, challenging academic assumptions while bringing scholarly rigor to real-world experiences.
 

Areas of Expertise:

  • Gender studies and feminist theory

  • Sexual empowerment and gender equality

  • Intersection of sex work and feminism

  • Stigma and social change

  • Making academic concepts accessible
     

Academic Qualifications

  • PhD - University of New South Wales (2018)

  • Masters in Applied Science - University of Sydney (2012)

  • Masters in Health Science (Sexual Health) - University of Sydney (2009)

  • Scarlet Alliance Peer Educator Training (2023)

  • Multiple Certificates in Health Education and Training
     

Academic Positions

  • Visiting Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, Arts & Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (2018-2020)

  • PhD Candidate, University of New South Wales (2012-2018)
     

Publications and Research Impact

  • Author of "Slutdom: Reclaiming Shame-Free Sexuality" (2024), a groundbreaking work on gender equality and sexual empowerment

  • Multiple book chapters on consent law reform and gender politics

  • Published research in leading journals including Sexualities

  • Pioneering research on gender dynamics and stereotypes in Australia
     

Notable Achievements

  • Conducted first worldwide academic study on women's experiences in commercial sexual services (in their home countries)

  • Top Abstract Award for Community and Social Research at UNSW Inaugural Postgraduate Research Symposium (2014)

  • Featured speaker at numerous international conferences including the World Association for Sexual Health Congress

  • Regular contributor to public discourse through media appearances and academic publications
     

Current Focus

  • Leading the #SlutToo movement for gender equality and against shame-based narratives

  • Public speaking and advocacy for gender rights and equality

  • Research on the intersection of gender, sexuality, and social justice

  • Writing and publishing on themes of empowerment and social change

Publications and presentations

Research and Insights


Dr Hilary Caldwell's research uniquely combines academic methodology with practical understanding.

 

This dual perspective allows her to bridge gaps between theory and reality, challenging academic assumptions while bringing scholarly rigour to real-world experiences.

Areas of Expertise
 

  • Gender studies and feminist theory

  • Sexual empowerment and gender equality

  • Intersection of sex work and feminism

  • Stigma and social change

  • Making academic concepts accessible
     

Academic Qualifications
 

  • PhD - University of New South Wales (2018)

  • Masters in Applied Science - University of Sydney (2012)

  • Masters in Health Science (Sexual Health) - University of Sydney (2009)

  • Scarlet Alliance Peer Educator Training (2023)

  • Multiple Certificates in Health Education and Training
     

Academic Positions
 

  • Visiting Fellow, Centre for Social Research in Health, Arts & Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (2018-2020)

  • PhD Candidate, University of New South Wales (2012-2018)

​

Notable Achievements
 

  • Conducted first worldwide academic study on women's experiences in commercial sexual services (in their home countries)

  • Top Abstract Award for Community and Social Research at UNSW Inaugural Postgraduate Research Symposium (2014)

  • Featured speaker at numerous international conferences including the World Association for Sexual Health Congress

  • Regular contributor to public discourse through media appearances and academic publications

​​

Current focus

​

  • Leading the #SlutToo movement for gender equality and against shame-based narratives

  • Public speaking and advocacy for gender rights and equality

  • Research on the intersection of gender, sexuality, and social justice

  • Writing and publishing on themes of empowerment and social change

​

​

01

Stardust, Z., Caldwell, H. (In print) 2022. “I am not a victim of my job. I am a real rape victim” Sex work and the politics of consent law reform. In New directions in sexual violence research. Routledge.

02

Anonymous, Dr. (2021). Still Anonymous: Stigma, Silencing and Sex Work in Australia. In Researchers at Risk. Palgrave. 10.1007/978-3-030-53857-6_2.

03

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. 2020. Criminalise women buying sex? Neo-abolitionist influence on Australian politics and media consumers. In Z, Davy., A,C, Santos., C, Bertone., R, Thoreson., & S, Wieringa (Eds). Handbook of global sexualities. Sage

04

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. 2020. ‘Stigma steels power’: How female clients of sex workers in Australia manage stigmatisation. In J. Scott., Grov, C., and V. Minichieollo. The Routledge Handbook of Male sex work, culture, and society. Routledge.ame

05

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. 2018. The characteristics and motivations of women who buy sex in Australia. In S. Dewey (Eds). Handbook of sex industry research. Routledge.

06

Caldwell, H., & de Wit, J. (2020). Women’s experiences buying sex in Australia – Egalitarian powermoves. Sexualities. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460719896972

07

PhD at UNSW - Women who buy sex in Australia: From social representations to lived experiences. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.4/60303

08

Masters at University of Sydney - Long-Term Clients Who Access Commercial Sexual Services in Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/8197Name

09

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. (2017, May). From physical sex therapy to entertainment: the motivations of women buying sex in Australia. 23rd Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health, Prague.

10

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. (2015, July) Australian attitudes about heterosexual power relations when women participate in sex tourism. 22nd Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health, Singapore.

11

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. (2016, April). Sex Workers describe the market of female clients in Australia. HHARD Conference CRSH Margins and Belonging, Sydney.

12

Caldwell, H. (2016, March) Women who buy sex, 1 hour presentation. Society of Australian Sexologists, ACT Branch, Canberra.

13

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. (2015, July) Australian attitudes about heterosexual power relations when women participate in sex tourism. 22nd Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health, Singapore.

14

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J. (2015, April). Sex workers speak about their female clients. Oral presentation at 2nd UNSW Pg Research Symposium, Sydney

15

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J., Adam, P., Albury, K. (2014, October). Representations of women who buy sex: A call for scholarly research. Paper presented at Asia-Oceania Federation of Sexology Conference, Brisbane.

16

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J., Adam, P., Albury, K. (2014, August). A cultural double standard: Public responses to female sex tourism. Paper presented at the Inaugural Postgraduate Research Symposium, Sydney.

17

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J., Adam, P., Albury, K. (2014, February). Rhonda: the face of female sex tourism for Australia? Abstract accepted for 13th Centre for Social Research in Health conference on HIV, viral hepatitis and related diseases. Promises and limitations, Sydney.

18

Caldwell, H., de Wit, J., Adam, P., Albury, K. (2013, November). Women buying sex: plenty of social discourses, little empirical data… Paper presented at UNSW Arts & Social Sciences – Postgraduate Conference 2013; Sydney.

19

Caldwell, H., Hossain, SZ., de Wit, J. (2012, October). Long-term clients who access commercial sexual services in Australia: Dissociating from stereotypes. Paper presented at the ASSERT National 2012 Conference, Melbourne.

20

PCaldwell, H., Hossain, SZ., de Wit, J. (2012, April). Long-term clients who access commercial sexual services in Australia. Paper presented at the 12th Social Research Conference on HIV, Hepatitis C and Related Diseases, Sydney.

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