Distinguished Sexology Professional (DSP) Award
Acknowledging Excellence
The highest honor awarded by SASH, the Distinguished Sexology Professional (DSP) Award recognizes leaders who embody the heart and spirit of our field. Since Magnus Hirschfeld founded the Institute for Sexual Science in 1919, sexology has demanded courage — the courage to speak truth in the face of stigma, explore what others might avoid, and hold compassion where there has so often been shame. DSP honorees advance the science, practice, and art of sexual health through that same courage, compassion, and innovation—transforming how we understand, teach, and care for others.
Recipients are individuals who:
- Push boundaries of knowledge through impactful research and thought leadership.
- Bridge science and practice, translating complex ideas into education and healing.
- Champion inclusion and integrity in every facet of sexual and relational health.
- Inspire mentorship and community, paving the way for future generations.
Like Hirschfeld before us, DSP honorees embody the enduring pursuit of justice through science.
Dr. Logan Levkoff
PhD
Dr. Logan Levkoff has dedicated her career to empowering people of all identities to have honest, courageous, and inclusive conversations about sex, relationships, and identity. Dr. Levkoff holds a PhD in Human Sexuality, Marriage, and Family Life Education from New York University and has spent over two decades designing and implementing sexuality education programs across schools, universities, medical institutions, and community organizations. Her books, including Got Teens? and Third Base Ain’t What It Used to Be, have become trusted guides for parents and professionals helping adolescents and adults navigate sexuality with confidence, clarity, and care. She has served on the Board of Directors for AASECT and is regularly invited to speak across media platforms, where her voice is known for empathy, depth, and clarity. Beyond her foundational work in sexuality education, Dr. Levkoff has also been active in combating antisemitism in sexual health spaces, advocating for awareness, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion within broader conversations about oppression, identity, and sexual well-being. Through her teaching, advocacy, and public voice, Dr. Levkoff reminds us that honest conversations about sex are not just possible — they are essential. Her leadership continues to foster a more inclusive, informed, and compassionate world.
Dr. Emily Nagoski
PhD
Dr. Emily Nagoski's groundbreaking work has transformed the landscape of sexual health education and research. Dr. Nagoski earned her PhD in Health Behavior with a concentration in Human Sexuality from Indiana University, where she also trained at the Kinsey Institute. Over the years, she has served as a counselor, researcher, lecturer, and wellness educator, including her tenure as Director of Wellness Education at Smith College. Her bestselling book, Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Change Your Sex Life, became an instant classic, offering an evidence-based, compassionate framework for understanding sexual desire, stress, and arousal. She has popularized the “accelerator and brakes” model of sexual response developed by Bancroft and Janssen, making it part of the shared language of sex therapy and education worldwide. Dr. Nagoski went on to co-author Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle with her sister Amelia, connecting the science of stress, emotion, and sexuality in an empowering way that resonates across disciplines. Most recently, her 2024 book Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections deepens that work, offering a roadmap for sustaining intimacy and joy in long-term relationships. Through her teaching, writing, and public speaking, Dr. Nagoski continues to bring science and empathy together — helping people across the globe feel more understood, more whole, and more hopeful about their sexuality.
Dr. Anna Randall
PhD
Dr. Anna Randall, is a pioneering clinician, researcher, and advocate whose work has expanded the scope of sexual health to include and affirm erotic diversity. Back in 2012, Dr. Anna Randall co-founded TASHRA—the Alternative Sexualities Health Research Alliance—to bring real science and compassion to the study and clinical proficiency to those caring for kink, BDSM, fetish, and the consensually non-monogamous. As Executive Director, she's inspired by her international team, whose research has given us some of the clearest insights yet into the health, well-being, and healthcare experiences of kink-identified people—and, most recently, how kink itself can support healing and human flourishing. Holding a Doctorate in Human Sexuality and master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health, Dr. Randall brings together research, clinical practice, and community advocacy with integrity and compassion. She’s known internationally for her evidence-based trainings that help clinicians move beyond outdated, pathologizing ideas and provide affirming, informed care for adults with diverse sexualities and relationships. Her work challenges stigma, builds understanding, and celebrates authenticity—inviting all of us to see sexual well-being in a broader, more inclusive way.