Sexuality, Consent and Relationships Education

Since 2022, the curriculum has included teaching the subject area of SSR across all core subjects. But how is this done, and do the students have the opportunity to influence the teaching?

Teaching about sexuality, consent and relationships is important as it provides young people with knowledge and tools to build safe, respectful and equal relationships. It also helps to prevent violence, abuse and discrimination by strengthening the understanding of bodily integrity and rights. Through SSR education, schools therefore play a vital role.

In 2025, a digital survey was conducted in Jämtland among upper secondary school students (approx. 1,400), where they were asked questions about SSR education in school. The raw data is available (SPSS and open-text responses) for analysis, focusing on which methods have been used in SSR teaching, whether young people have had the opportunity to influence the teaching, and how they define the concept of “consent”. Are there differences in perceptions depending on gender and sexual orientation?

The students admitted to the project will discuss and formulate the aim, specific research questions and analyses together with the supervisors. We would prefer two students to work together (within Public Health Science, for example, it is possible to write the independent thesis in pairs – with a written explanation to the supervisor of the division of labour). The project is particularly relevant for students who will write their scientific thesis in spring 2026 but who would like to begin preparations already in autumn 2025 (the independent project starts in November for master’s and magister students in Public Health Science).

If you are a student from a subject other than Public Health Science and are interested, please contact the subject coordinator to find out whether the project is suitable for your discipline.