{"id":122974,"date":"2021-02-15T16:08:02","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T15:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=122974"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:25:24","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:25:24","slug":"new-erasmus-love-lab-designed-for-research-into-intimate-topics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2021\/02\/15\/new-erasmus-love-lab-designed-for-research-into-intimate-topics\/","title":{"rendered":"New Erasmus Love Lab designed for research into intimate topics"},"content":{"rendered":"

No more clinical spaces for scientists researching sensitive topics such as intimate relationships, love, and sexuality: the Erasmus Love Lab opened its doors on the day of love. The lab was designed to put participants at ease. \u201cIt\u2019s great when you\u2019re certain that nobody is listening in.\u201d<\/p>\n

A unique research lab that is set up like a living room opened its doors on Valentine\u2019s Day: the Erasmus Love Lab is now part of the Erasmus Behavioural Lab in Mandeville building. The lab design is unique. There are hardly any comparable labs conducting research into love, sexuality, and intimate relationships.<\/p>\n

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Samira van Bohemen.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

\u201cWe paid particular attention to participant privacy,\u201d stated cultural sociologist and researcher Samira van Bohemen, who devised the initiative together with project manager Daphne van de Bongardt. \u201cWe regularly conduct research on couples and sexuality, and it\u2019s much nicer for pairs to be able to lock the door to discuss intimate topics together.\u201d There are also no windows, and the walls are sound-proofed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uncomfortable talking about sex<\/h2>
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Daphne van de Bogardt.<\/span><\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Not everyone finds it difficult or stressful to talk about sex. \u201cI notice that many people, young people too, are reasonably open about sex and relationships,\u201d stated pedagogue and sociologist Van de Bongardt. However, some experience this differently, and conditions like those in the lab can make things more comfortable. \u201cThis does not only apply to groups with a certain cultural or religious background; we also see this more among boys and men than girls and women. We hope that this space will also offer them a safe environment to be open for scientific research into these important themes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A frown<\/h2>

During the preparations for the lab, Van de Bongardt noticed that the taboo surrounding themes being researched in the new lab has not been entirely overcome. \u201cWe were sometimes confronted with frowns. People wondered exactly what the design would entail. Is it not a bit like a brothel? I had to smile at that, as that\u2019s certainly not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, the majority of responses from the faculty and university were positive. \u201cI think it\u2019s really amazing that Erasmus University is open for this.\u201d Because, as Van de Bongardt already stated during her\u00a0Tedx Talk<\/a>: Relationship and sexual health play a significant role in physical, psychological, and social well-being. \u201cThat\u2019s why research into this needs to be done really well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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