Dr. William Fisher Named 2020 Recipient of Alfred C. Kinsey Distinguished Researcher Award

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University is pleased to name Dr. William A. Fisher as the recipient of the 2020 Alfred C. Kinsey Distinguished Researcher Award, which honors renowned scientists and academics who shape our understanding of human sexuality through their sex research.

In announcing the award, Dr. William L. Yarber, Provost Professor of Public Health, Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, and chair of the award committee commented, “Dr. Fisher is an internationally renowned sexual scientist who has advanced our understanding of the social and psychological determinants of health behavior, including human sexual and reproductive health risk and preventive behaviors, and sexual function and difficulties. The sex research community is most grateful for his innovative and ground-breaking research and career-long commitment to advancing sex research and sexual health.”

Dr. William A. Fisher is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Western University, London, Ontario, Canada. He has spent four decades in the Department of Psychology, cross-appointed to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Dr. Fisher received his bachelor’s degree from Tel Aviv University and his master’s and doctorate from Purdue University. His work focuses on understanding and promoting sexual and reproductive health, including sexual behavior, HIV risk reduction, individual and couple sexual function and dysfunction, sexual pharmacology, and the education of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Fisher has served as associate editor, consulting editor, and editorial board member of five major academic journals in the area of human sexuality. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, has served as National Health Scientist for Health Canada, and has received the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, as well as Western University’s Hellmuth Award for Research and Pleva Award for Teaching Excellence.

Dr. Fisher’s research has been supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Health Canada, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. He has published 250 peer reviewed papers in his areas of interest.

Dr. Alfred Kinsey’s pioneering research changed the way human sexuality is perceived and led to a greater acceptance of diversity in sexual expression. The Alfred C. Kinsey Distinguished Researcher Award not only recognizes today’s distinguished sex research but also represents validation, gratitude, and support of the individuals who have the vision, determination, courage, and commitment to conduct sex research. This award is made possible through an endowed fund at the Kinsey Institute.