Kinsey Institute's future secured amid political challenges
Indiana University trustees abandon controversial plan, ensuring the institute's continued impact on sexuality research
The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University (IU), a pioneering center for the study of human sexuality, has faced significant political challenges over the past year. Initially threatened by defunding and potential restructuring, the Institute’s future was uncertain. However, recent developments have brought relief and stability to this important research center, with crucial updates emerging in March 2024.
In March 2024, the Indiana University Board of Trustees unanimously decided to abandon the controversial plan to split the Kinsey Institute into a separate nonprofit entity. This decision came after months of intense deliberation and significant opposition from faculty, staff, and the broader academic community. The proposal, initially intended to comply with state legislation prohibiting the use of state funds for the Institute, was met with widespread concern about its potential impact on academic freedom and the Institute’s research capabilities.1
Instead of pursuing the split, the Board endorsed a comprehensive plan put forward by IU President Pamela Whitten. This plan aims to ensure compliance with state law while maintaining the Kinsey Institute’s affiliation with the university. Key measures include securing alternative funding sources, preserving the Institute’s collections, and reinforcing its commitment to academic freedom and intellectual inquiry.2
This resolution has been welcomed by the Kinsey Institute’s community and supporters. Cynthia Graham, a senior scientist at the Institute, expressed great relief at the decision, highlighting the importance of maintaining the Institute’s integrated structure for its ongoing research and educational missions.3
The Kinsey Institute, with its extensive collection of artworks, artifacts, and publications on sexuality and gender, continues to play a crucial role in advancing sexual health and education. Notably, it houses the largest collection of nudist magazines outside of the independent nudist research libraries that are part of the Nudist Research Library Consortium. The recent decisions by Indiana University affirm the Institute’s place as a beacon of scholarly excellence and its ongoing contribution to the understanding of human sexuality. 🪐
Editor’s note: This article serves as an update to a story we shared last November, detailing the ongoing challenges and eventual resolution for the Kinsey Institute. This update emerged in March, and while we are reporting it slightly later, the implications for the Kinsey Institute and the broader academic community remain significant. We strive to bring timely and accurate information to our readers and will continue to do so in the future.
More reading
Volmert, I. (2024, March 1). Indiana University officials ditch plan to split off Kinsey Institute, known for its sex research. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/indiana-university-kinsey-institute-sex-research-center-b9338304a4cd42cfe379ab50ac0a1cee
The Bloomingtonian. (2024, March 1). Indiana University Trustees Back President Whitten’s Moves to Safeguard Kinsey Institute. Retrieved from https://www.bloomingtonian.com/2024/03/01/indiana-university-trustees-back-president-whittens-moves-to-safeguard-kinsey-institute/
Volmert, I. (2024).
Every mention of Kinsey immediately puts this great Western swing tune by Walkin' Charlie Aldrich in my head, a tune which also gives you some idea of just how big of a deal culturally the Kinsey Report was when it came out -
https://youtu.be/25nz5XR6hP8?si=u5culSFAOwsQiGRq
This is great news as they have a minor collection of nudist materials. I have been corresponding with them about expanding their nudist holdings to match those in the non-academic collections within the Nudist Research Library Consortium. Having an academic partner would advance research in social nakedness, nudism, naturism, and skinny-dipping as non-sexual activities that can be done while nude, ideas contrary to common social norms about the human body. However, they are still not out of the weeds as they need to find other sources of funding to be sustainable.