Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships
The Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships
A research group dedicated to deepening our understanding of the nature and significance of intimacy, how relationships may be supported by technology, social institutions, and the state.

The Centre for Love, Sex, and Relationships (CLSR) is a research group within the School of Philosophy, Religion, and the History of Science at Leeds. We are interested in deepening our understanding of the nature and significance of intimacy, and exploring the ways different relationships might be impacted by technology, social institutions, and the state. The centre exists to foster academic research at Leeds, establish connections with industry leaders, organise events and workshops, support graduate research, and to engage with the public.
Directors: Dr. Natasha McKeever and Dr. Luke Brunning.

Our research
CLSR is the only centre in the UK dedicated to researching love, sex and relationships. Our network consists of over 20 permanent staff and graduate students.
Example research topics
- Sexual ethics
- Relationship types
- Marginalised intimacies
- The nature of intimate emotions
- Love and technology
- Intimate ways of living
- Relationships and change
- Relationship ethics
- Politics of intimacy
- Intimacy and the state
Our funders
We have received generous funding contributions from The British Academy and The Society for Applied Philosophy, in addition to Leeds University’s Institutional Translational Funding and Building Impact Momentum Programme.
Centre blog: Instagram @Leeds_CLSR
Twitter: @LeedsCLSR
Research projects
Leverhulme Early Career Fellow Rosa Vince is going to be joining us from this September! They will be working with us for two years on an exciting research project called “[Radical] Feminism, [Radical] Sex: a new approach to sex and objectification”. They’ll be mentored by Dr. Robbie Morgan.
Dr. Luke Brunning’s Book “Romantic Agency” is out now! “Beautifully written, clear and direct, Brunning’s romantic agency challenges ideological preconceptions and opens new intellectual territory” (QUILL REBECCA KUKLA) “Romantic Agency is a thoughtful philosophical reflection on how we might expand the freedom that we - and others - experience in our romantic relationships” MEG-JOHN BAKER https://lukebrunning.com/romantic-agency
Impact and engagement
CLSR has a supportive, collaborative and exciting research environment. At Leeds, we host a weekly reading group, organise academic workshops and support graduate research. Beyond the university, we strive to form partnerships with industry experts and engage with the public. We do this by organising a number of free and accessible events throughout the year, including Leeds Love Month and a Philosophy Valentines Day Event. We collaborate with non-academic institutions such as The Philosophers Yard, Feeld and Leeds Salon. We have recently made an appearance on BBC Leeds Radio, and have written public blogs and newspaper articles for The Guardian, Elle Magazine and The Conversation, among others. We have also published and featured on a number of podcast episodes, available via: Ethics Untangled, Full Insight and Let’s Chat Ethics.
Our people

Catfishing and sex work explored at Ethical Dating Online workshop hosted by Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships
Catfishing and sex work are just a few of the subjects explored at an…
More on Catfishing and sex work explored at Ethical Dating Online workshop hosted by Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships
Window opens for applications to Non-Stipendiary Visiting Fellowships scheme
Window opens for applications to Non-Stipendiary Visiting Fellowships scheme
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Love, sex and relationships explored by AHC philosophers at sold-out Valentine's Day event
Love, sex and relationships explored by AHC philosophers at sold-out…
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Impact testimonials from the Leeds Love Month 2023
Attendees of the Leeds Love Month event series share their experiences and…
More on Impact testimonials from the Leeds Love Month 2023Reclaiming Histories: Slavery, Race and the Churches
A workshop on impact and engagement
Thursday 5 June 2025, 10:00 - 16:30
More on Reclaiming Histories: Slavery, Race and the ChurchesFuturing Interculturality: Between Aspirations and Structural Constraints
We are pleased to announce the upcoming Futuring Interculturality event, themed “Between Aspirations and Structural Constraints,” featuring talks by Dr. Ramzi Merabet and Jenna Isherwood
Monday 9 June 2025, 12:00 - 14:00
More on Futuring Interculturality: Between Aspirations and Structural Constraints2025 COIL Showcase: Transform Your Students’ Learning by Employing Collaborative Online International Learning
An invaluable opportunity to hear inspirational talks from academics using COIL at Leeds, network with others doing or exploring COIL, and hear from students who have experienced COIL at Leeds
Monday 9 June 2025, 13:00 - 16:00
More on 2025 COIL Showcase: Transform Your Students’ Learning by Employing Collaborative Online International LearningWorkshop: Arts Facilitation for Researchers
The workshop brings together academics and Leeds-based artists who use arts-centred techniques to encourage members of the community to talk as freely as possible about their experiences.
Thursday 12 June 2025, 12:00 - 14:00
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