Theo Sandfort, PhD

Theo Sandfort, PhD, is a Research Scientist at the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, and is Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences (in Psychiatry), Columbia University. He is also Principal Investigator of the HIV Center's postdoctoral fellowship program on Behavioral Sciences Research in HIV Infection, and an Investigator with the Development Core and the Public Health Policy and Practice Core.

Prior to joining the HIV Center in 2001, Dr. Sandfort was Chairman of the Interfaculty Department of Lesbian and Gay Studies at Utrecht University, the Netherlands, and Director of the Research Program "Diversity, Lifestyles and Health" at the Netherlands Institute of Social Sexological Research. He is a former President of the Dutch Society of Sexology, and the International Academy of Sex Research. He serves on the board of various academic journals on sexuality.  

Dr. Sandfort has engaged in numerous basic and applied empirical investigations in the field of sexuality and health. In terms of research methods he is skilled in both quantitative and qualitative approaches. He was involved in large as well as small-scale studies, aimed at surveying sexual behavior and attitudes, identifying determinants of health behavior, needs assessments, evaluating mass media and small-scale health interventions, and identifying the epidemiology of mental disorders. In his applied research he enjoys helping to identify basic research needs of professional organizations and promoting the application of research findings. His current research interests focus on sexual health, sexual development, homosexuality, and emerging LGBT communities. In promoting the understanding of various health issues, his major aim is to contribute to health and well being, especially in relation to sexuality and sexual orientation.