Education:

Ph.D. Sexology, 2003
The Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA
Dissertation: Jealousy and Transformation in Polyamorous Relationships

MA Anthropology, 1980
New School for Social Research, New York, NY
Thesis: Towards a Cross-Cultural Understanding of Female Sexuality

BA Anthropology, 1975
University of California, Berkeley, CA

Areas of Expertise:

Sex and Aging
Human and Primate Mating Strategies: Where Biology Meets Culture
The Culture of Internet Chat
Cyber Sex Communication Modalities including Texting and Sexting
The Culture of Erotic Role Play Styles and Strategies
Internet/App-Enabled Dating and Casual Encounters
Dynamics of Sexual Assault
Language and Practices of BDSM / Kink Sexualities
Polyamorous Cultural Beliefs and Practices in the Western World
Traditional Polygamy in Africa and Papua New Guinea
The Culture of Swinging
How and Why Married People Cheat
Arranged Marriage vs. Love Marriage in India
Sexual Tourism in Thailand and Jamaica

Qualitative Research:

Qualitative research skills include participant observation, interview schedules, oral histories with key informants, leading focus groups and documentary photography.  Widely published global thinker, charismatic presenter and skilled writer of reports and proposals.   Consulted for Dr. James Herriot on contemporary adult social and sexual behaviors of defendants accused of cybersex crimes.  Expert Witness on cases related to Internet Chat/Dating, Erotic Role Play, Daddy-Boy and Daddy-Daughter Age-Play, and BDSM.  Partnered with Smart Revenue (Ridgefield, CT) for projects on consumer mobile phone usage patterns and with Context-Based Research Group (Baltimore, MD) for projects on early adopters of big screen television.

Survey Research:

Quantitative research skills include survey design, data analysis and interpretation, and report writing.  In addition to my projects initiated through my company, Wise Woman Sex and Relationship Consulting, I have partnered with Avid Life Media (Toronto), Loveology University (Los Angeles).  Projects include: Changing Perspectives on Sexual Assault (2017), Herpes: Folklore, Fear and Realities (2014), Are Polyamory and Cheating All that Different? (2012) Orgasm in America: Current Beliefs and Practices (2012), The Oral Sex Void: When There’s Not Enough at Home (2011), Sexual Culture of Baby Boomers (2010),Who Cheats and Why? (2009), Sexual Boundaries: Who Pushes Them and Why? (2009), Polyamorous Behaviors of Non-Poly Identified Peoples (2008) and Sex and Ethnicity Project (2006).

Field Research:

Japan, 2023, Geishas, Sex Work and the Japanese Way
Niger, 2018. Gerewol Festival: Deconstructing Niger’s Marriage Market
Mexico, 2018. Expatriate Cultural Negotiations
Borneo, 2014. Negotiating Ethnicity in Malaysia
China, 2013. Sex, Culture and Business
Romania, Ukraine and Hungary, 2011. Resurgence of Judaism in Eastern Europe
Brazil, 2011. Afro-Brazilian Culture and Ritual  
Morocco, June 2009. The Gender Divide in a Modern Islamic Country
Costa Rica, 2008.  The Cultural Economics of Tourism, Coffee and Bananas.
Peru and Galapagos Islands, 2008. Intercultural Dance of Tourism and Imaginary Edens
India,2007. Transitions from Arranged Marriage into Love Marriage
United States, 2004-2006. Users of Donated Gametes/Single Mothers by Choice
Jamaica, 2006. Sex Tourism: A Mecca for Western Women
Bali, 2004. Sex Tourism: A Mecca for Western Men
Thailand, 2003.  Sex workers and cross-national relationships.
Cuba, 2003. Sexuality and health care since the revolution.
Papua New Guinea, 2001.  Polygyny and sexuality amongst the Enga and Huli.
East Africa 1998. Polygyny and jealousy in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Yucatan, Mexico, 1975, 1985, 1990, 2001. Immigration, changes in marriage patterns.
United States,1990-2004. Multiple partner sexuality including polyamory and swinging.

Teaching Experience:

Retired Professor of Anthropology; preeminent class was Gender, Sex and Culture.  Taught on the faculty of the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, three California State University campuses (Los Angeles, Dominguez Hills and Long Beach) and seven colleges of the Los Angeles Community College District as well as Long Beach City College, El Camino College, Pasadena City College and Antioch University.

Selected Publications:

177 Lovers and Counting: My Life as a Sex Researcher, January 2024 by Rowman and Littlefield/Bloomsbury.

“Quarantine Diary”
Medium.com, July 5, 2020

“The Oral Sex Void: When There’s Not Enough at Home”
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, vol.14, December 2011.

“On Kittens and theVery Invented Culture of Polyamory
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, vol. 11, Fall 2008.

“America’s Fidelity Crisis: Politics, Hypocrisy and Family Values”
Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Vol 9, October 2006
Loving More Magazine #20, Winter 2000
Teaching Anthropology: SACC Notes, Vol. 6, No. 2, Fall-Winter 1999

"As The Other Shoe Drops: Unraveling A Relationship and A Story"
Teaching Anthropology: SACC Notes, Vol. 9, No. 1 & Loving More Magazine #31, Fall 2002

“When One Lover Isn’t Enough,” Loving More Magazine #22, Summer 2000
Teaching Anthropology: SACC Notes, Vol. 7, No.2, Fall-Winter 2000-2001

"Adding a Co-Wife," Loving More Magazine #15, Fall 1998
Teaching Anthropology: SACC Notes, Vol 5, No 2, Fall-Winter, 1998
California Anthropologist, Vol. 26, No. 2, 1999
Annual Editions Anthropology 06/07, 29th Edition, McGraw-Hill/Dushkin, 2006

Women Who May Never Marry: The Reasons, Realities, and Opportunities,
November 1993 by Longstreet Press.  Reviewed in over 80 papers nationwide including USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and Copley & Gannett News Services.  Guest on 100 television and radio shows.   


Selected Television Appearances:

Sex Files, “Beyond Monogamy,” Discovery Canada, October 2004
Talk or Walk, “Polyamory,” November 2001
Love Chronicles, “Love in the Victorian Age,” A&E, October 1999
Donahue, “Women Who May Never Marry,” March 1995
Good Day LA, “Women Who May Never Marry,” May 1994
Night Talk with Jane Whitney, “Women Who Choose Not to Marry” November 1992
Ron Reagan, “Killer Women,” 1991

Scholarly and Community Lectures:

177 Lovers and Counting: My Life as a Sex Researcher
CA Community College Anthropology Teachers Conference, Tulare—January 12, 2024
Poly Living, Philadelphia, PA—February 10, 2024
Positive Sexuality Conference, Burbank, CA – February 17, 2024
Southwestern Anthropology Association Conference, Garden Grove, CA – March 30, 2024

The Three Waves of Polyamory
World Association for Sexual Health—October 13, 2019
Rocky Mountain Poly Living, Denver, CO—April 14, 2019
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Atlanta, GA—November 11, 2017

Changing Perspectives on Sexual Assault
World Association for Sexual Health—October 12, 2019
Los Angeles Sexology Association, Los Angeles, CA—March 2, 2018
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Atlanta, GA—November 12, 2017
Southwestern Anthropological Association, San Jose, CA—April 28, 2017
CA Community College Anthropology Teachers Conference, Paso Robles—January 14, 2017

Expatriate Enculturation into Mexico via a Facebook Group
Southwestern Anthropological Association, Fresno, CA—May 5, 2018

Why Consent is ultimately a Fuzzy Matter
Center Camp Lecture Series, Black Rock City, CA—September 2, 2016

The Culture of Cybersex and Internet Chat
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Phoenix, AZ—November 18, 2016

Cyber Chat: Implications for Multiple Partner Relating
International Conference on Monogamy and Non-Monogamy, Berkeley, CA –February 13, 2016

Negotiating Pair-Bonding, Romantic Love and Jealousy in Polyamorous Relationships
International Conference on Monogamy and Non-Monogamy, Berkeley, CA –February 12, 2016

Studying and Teaching the Culture of Cyber Chat: How Our Students’ Native Access can Inform Research and Practice
CA Community College Anthropology Teachers Conference, Paso Robles—January 16, 2016

Herpes: Folklore, Fear and Realities
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Phoenix, AZ—November 19, 2016

Airbnb: Politics and Culture of Home Sharing
Society for Applied Anthropology, Vancouver, Canada—April 1, 2016
Airbnb Open, Paris, France—November 12 & 13, 2015
Southwestern Anthropological Association, Long Beach, CA—May 1, 2015

The Global Impact of the Gender Flip on Partnering Patterns
International Conference on Monogamy and Non-Monogamy, Berkeley, CA –February 14, 2015

The Impact of New Media on Sex and Relationships
Center for Healthy Sex, Beverly Hills, CA—March 21, 2014

Are Polyamory and Cheating All that Different?
International Academic Polyamory Conference, Berkeley, CA –February 22, 2014
Network for a New Culture, Seattle, WA—November 12, 2012
Open New York City, New York, NY—June 28, 2012

Must Familiarity Breed Erotic Boredom?
Sex and Culture Lecture Series –November 18, 2013

Orgasm in America: Current Beliefs and Practices
Sex and Culture Lecture Series—May 30, 2012 (featured in June 2012 Women’s Health Magazine)
Sino-US Conference on Sexology, Dongguan, China—March 7, 2013

“Anal Play: Who is Doing it and Why?”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Western Region Conference, Los Angeles, CA—April 22, 2012

The Oral Sex Void: What Married Men Do
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Houston TX—November 4, 2011

“The Sexual Culture of Baby Boomers”
American Anthropological Association, New Orleans, LA—November 21, 2010

“Sexual Boundaries: Who Pushes Them and Why?”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Las Vegas, NV—November 5, 2010

“Speculations on the Origins of Human Sexual Behavior”
Poly Living 2010, Seattle, WA—October 19, 2010

“Who Cheats and Why?”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Palm Springs, CA—April 10, 2010

“Visual Projects for Introductory Cultural Anthropology Courses”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges—San Francisco, CA—March 18, 2010

“Polyamory and Identity”
Poly Living 2010, Philadelphia, PA – February 20, 2010

“Human Evolution, Culture and Polyamory”
“Cultural Evolution of Human Bonding: Why We Love Who We Love”
“The Ways Poly People Lie to Make Their Relationships Work”
Burning Man, Black Rock City—September 2-3, 2009

“Beyond the Monogamy Gene”
NYC Poly Pride Day – October 4, 2008

“Polyamorous Behaviors of Non-Poly Identified Peoples”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, San Diego, CA – April 11, 2008

“Negotiating Pairbonding, Romantic Love and Jealousy in Polyamorous Relationships”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Las Vegas, NV – November 10, 2006

Today’s Cultural Generation Gap: Coming of Age Armenian, Asian and Hispanic in 21st Century America
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Las Vegas, NV – November 11, 2006
Southern California Applied Anthropology Network, Los Angeles, CA  – December 10, 2006
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Asilomar, Monterrey, CA  – April 7, 2007

“America’s Fidelity Crisis: Politics, Hypocrisy and Family Values” (Keynote Address)
Institute for 21st Century Relationships Conference,  Seattle, WA – October 14, 2006

“How the Bough Bends: The Creation of Family, Kinships and Community Amongst Users of Donated Gametes”
Southwestern Anthropological Association, Pasadena, CA—April 29, 2006
Communal Studies Association, Marshall, CA—September 29, 2006
American Anthropological Association, San Jose, CA—November 15, 2006

“Polyamory 101”
Hedonism II, Negril, Jamaica—February 7, 2006

“Sexuality, Gender, Marriage and Family: Where We’ve Been and What’s on the Horizon,”
Network for a New Culture, Trillium, Oregon—August 12, 2005

“Pairbonding, Romantic Love, and Multiple Partner Sexuality”
Institute for 21st Century Relationships Conference,  Boston, MA – October 16, 2004
World Polyamory Association, Laguna, CA—October 23, 2004
American Anthropological Association, San Francisco, CA—November 19, 2004
Live the Dream, Woodland Hills, CA – March 19, 2005
Family Synergy Conference, De Benneville Pines, CA—June 24, 2005

“Marrying Sex and Anthropology”  
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Montreal, Canada – April 1, 2004

“Negotiating Jealousy in Polyamorous Relationships,”  
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Western Region Conference, San Diego, CA – April 17, 2004
International Conference of Social Sciences, Honolulu, HI – June 17, 2004

“Jealousy and Transformation in Polyamorous Relationships,”
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Western Region Conference, San Jose ,CA – April 11, 2003
Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality, San Francisco, CA – June 24, 2003
Loving More Conference, Harbin Hot Springs, CA – July 27, 2003
Live the Dream, Woodland Hills, CA – September 6, 2003
Institute for 21st Century Relationships Conference,  Seattle, WA – October 19, 2003
Los Angeles Polyamory Support, Carson, CA—February 21, 2004

“Orgasm, Arousal, Satisfaction and Desire”
Conversations, Santa Monica, CA – June 29, 2003

“Why Women Swing,”
16th World Conference of Sexology, Havana, Cuba – March 13, 2003
Lifestyles Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada – July 28, 2001

“Hierarchy and Jealousy in Polygamous Relationships”
American Anthropological Association, New Orleans, LA – November 23, 2002

"Just Below the Surface: The Erotic Power of Jealousy"
Lifestyles-East Convention, Miami, Florida – April 13, 2002
Lifestyles Convention, Reno, Nevada – August 3, 2002 (with Jim Herriot)

"Women Who Share Men…Men Who Share Women"
Lifestyles Convention, Reno, Nevada – August 2, 2002 (with Don Byrd)

"The Importance of Station: Hierarchy, Power and Stability in Polyamorous Relationships,"
Loving More Conference, Harbin Hot Springs, CA – June 15, 2002

“Tourism and Socio-Economic Change in Papua New Guinea”
Channing House, Palo Alto, CA – October 26, 2001
Servas International, Los Angeles, CA – November 4, 2001
Southern California Applied Anthropology Network – December 13, 2001
Southern California Travel Network – February 9, 2002
Campus Conversations, Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA – February 26, 2002

“Weathering the Extraordinary: The Cultural Invention of Polyamory”
Communal Studies Association, New Harmony Indiana – September 28, 2001

“Mani: A Yucatan Mayan Village 25 Years Later”
Channing House, Palo Alto, CA– June 28, 2001

“Playing the Media as an Anthropologist”
American Anthropological Association, San Francisco, CA – November 17, 2000
Pomona College, Applied Anthropology Class, January 31, 2001

“Polyamory Salon”
Elysium, Topanga, CA, May 21, 2000 and July 23, 2000

“When One Lover Isn’t Enough: My Adventure in the Cultural Behavior of Sluts”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Seattle, WA – April 6, 2000

“Adding A Co-Wife”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Santa Fe, New Mexico – April 17, 1998;
Los Angeles Polyamory Support, Long Beach, CA – November 14, 1998
Southwestern Anthropological Association, Fullerton, CA – April 16, 1999

“Coming Out to Our Students”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Boston, MA –April 9, 1999

"Co-Wives in East Africa”
Loving More Conference, Berkeley, CA – August 8, 1998

"The Dynamics of Sharing a Man: What I Learned in Africa,"
Southern California Applied Anthropology Network, Los Angeles, CA – May 19, 1998
Lifestyles Convention, Las Vegas, NV – July 18, 1998

"When One Partner Isn't Enough"
National Congress on Women's Health, Washington D.C. – June 22, 1998

“How Swingers and Practitioners of Polyamory Mimic Darwinian Reproductive Strategies”
Human Behavior and Education Society, Tucson, AZ  – June 7, 1997

“Making Polygamy Come Alive”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Toronto, Ontario, Canada – April 18, 1997

“Spinsters, Old Maids, and Fallen Women”
Women’s Day Celebration, El Camino College, Torrance, CA – March 10, 1997

"Man Sharing: A Multi-Dimensional Examination"
American Anthropological Association, San Francisco, CA – November 21, 1996
Southwestern Anthropological Association, Pasadena, CA April 13, 1996

“The James Dean Syndrome: Why We’re Attracted to Dangerous People”
Conversations, Santa Monica, CA  – July 16, 1996, June 11, 1997, and February 4, 2001

"The Dynamics of Polysexuality"
Lifestyles Convention, San Diego – August 23, 1996
Elysium, Topanga, CA  – July 17, 1996

"America's Fidelity Crisis"
Loving More Conference, Harbin Hot Springs, CA – July 27, 1996

“The Impact of Consciousness on Human Mate Selection”
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Encino, CA – March 29, 1996

“Well Beyond Monogamy: The Social Cultural Behaviors of Americans Who Practice Consensual Nonmonogamy”
Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges, Santa Monica, CA – February 24, 1996

“Never Say I Do: Why It May Be Better to Stay Single”
Three Keynote Addresses to Committed Singles of Southern, CA – September 22 – 24, 1996

“Bringing Anthropology to the Masses”
Southern California Applied Anthropology Network, Los Angeles, CA – September 14, 1995

“Managing Variety: How People Everywhere Make it Work”
Lifestyles Convention, San Diego, CA – August 26, 1995

“The Mating Game: Why We Choose Who We Do”
Elysium, Topanga, CA – July 16, 1995 and October 7, 1995

“Consensual Nonmonogamy: Challenging Evolutionary Directives”
Human Behavior and Evolution Society, Santa Barbara, CA – July 1, 1995

"Women Who May Never Marry”
25 lectures and workshops from 1990 -1995 in churches, bookstores, universities, the American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting (Nov. 1993), women's professional organizations, and singles groups.

“The Origins of and Future for Family”
Humanist Association of Los Angeles, CA – November 6, 1994

“We’re Hardly Alone: Cross-Cultural and Sociobiological Precedents for Poly-Living“
Loving More Conference, Harbin Hot Springs, CA – August 12, 1994

“Becoming Polysexual: Shifts in Consciousness Made by Americans Who Engage in Consensual Nonmonogamy”
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness 1994 Meeting, Phoenix, AZ

“Multiple Negotiated Relationships”
Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness 1993 Meeting, Santa Barbara, CA

Media Education:

AA Television Production, 1984
Laney College, Oakland, CA

Certificate, Broadcast Journalism, 1980
Community Film Workshop, New York, NY

Selected Media Productions and Activities:

Documentary Producer/Director/Editor
“Festival” (2009)
“Burning Man Pastiche” (2007)
"Internet Chat with Dr. James Herriot," 2002
“Changes in Childbirth,” winner: Tucson Video Festival, 1986; finalist: Hometown USA Video Festival, 1986
“Running with Jesse Jackson,” 1985
“Wireless! Ham Radio’s Social-Political Impact on Telecommunications,” 1985
“Throwing Ceramic Pots,” finalist: Hometown USA Video Festival, 1986

Radio Talk Show Host
“Intimate Matters,” KIEV Radio, Glendale, CA, 1991

Additional Employment:

Advisor, “Anthropology Telecourse,” Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA (2004 – 2008) Emmy Award Winner 2008
Director of Research, Loveology University, Los Angeles (2008 – 2010)
Producer/Leader, Dr. Leanna Polyamory Salons and Workshops, Los Angeles, (2005 – 2014)
Experiential Analyst, Context-Based Research Group, Baltimore/Los Angeles, (2003 – 2004)
Ethnographic Interviewer, Tell Your Story, Los Angeles, CA (1992 – 1994)                   
Proposal Writer/Production Consultant, National Latino Communications Center, KCET Television, Los Angeles, CA (1988 – 1991)
Assistant Producer, “Hush Little Baby: The Challenge of Childcare,” Dennis Lofgren Productions for Lifetime Television (1988)
Video Production Instructor, Peralta Colleges Television, Oakland, CA (1984 – 1986)
Community Affairs Director, Peralta Colleges Television, Oakland, CA (1983 – 1985)

Foreign Languages:
Fluent in Spanish, knowledge of  French, Italian, and a bit of Swahili, Pidgin and Mayan