Yvonne Fulbright

Ph.D. candidate, International Community Health Education

Originally from Iceland, Yvonne K. Fulbright has been studying and discussing sexuality and reproductive health for much of her life. Her web site boasts that her first lecture on sexuality was in the sixth grade when she gave a presentation on female reproduction and intercourse. Many years later, with a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education from the University of Pennsylvania, Yvonne says, “I went into the workforce really naïve about the lack of opportunities in the field of human sexuality.” Having always planned to become Dr. Fulbright, Yvonne decided to pursue a doctoral degree sooner rather than later.

“I knew that where I went for a Ph.D. would have a program that would be digestible and less political. Given its courses in human sexuality education, I knew I would have the support of the health studies faculty at NYU and I thought it was a smart route to go while expanding my marketability in a related field.  NYU has one of only a few programs in international community health..” Yvonne is now preparing to submit her dissertation – which she will defend later this year – about how Icelandic women learn about sex, the role of their mothers in providing sexual education, and their experiences of their mothers as sex communicators. “The support I’ve had writing my dissertation makes me feel very lucky. I’ve heard horror stories from students all over the country.  Drs. Alyson Taub, Colleen Larson and David Greenberg have been super and supportive and really good to work with.”

While Yvonne has been working toward her doctorate at NYU, she has been doing much more than just studying. She wrote the “Sexpert Tells All” column for the Washington Square News for several years and published a book called The Hot Guide to Safer Sex. A nationally known expert on sexuality, she regularly appears on radio and television to talk about sex and relationships, and she is contacted about once a week by magazines like Cosmopolitan and newspapers like the New York Times to voice her expert opinion. Yvonne also taught an undergraduate class, “Sexuality and the Human Experience.”  “For a while I was wearing two hats and I really enjoyed it,” says Yvonne about teaching. “I think I was less threatening as a sex resource. I felt close enough in age to my students that I think that, for them, it was more like talking to your big sister instead of someone more authoritative. It’s really important to have a safe environment in discussing the subject of sexuality.”

Once she is officially Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., she says, “I hope to better launch my business, Sexuality Source, Inc., and continue teaching and writing. I’m not a real nine-to-five person. I like the freedom of working for myself.” She will continue to consult, offer expert interviews to the media, and possibly offer coaching services. Her second book, Touch Me Here! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots, will hit the shelves in the fall of 2006.

Written by Heather Graham