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…
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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 2023University of Leeds International Concert Series - Spring Season 2025
University of Leeds International Concert Series announces its Spring Season 2025, starting on Friday 31st January.
Friday 31 January 2025 - Friday 16 May 2025
More on University of Leeds International Concert Series - Spring Season 2025Research Seminar: ‘Influence, implement and protect: broadcasters and policies for care in unscripted television’
This event is part of the School of Media and Communication research seminar series.
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 13:45 - 15:00
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Dr Elizabeth L'Estrange presents a paper for the Institute for Medieval Studies Seminar series.
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 17:00 - 19:00
More on Research seminar: Re-Assessing the 'querelle des femmes' (the 'debate about women') at the turn of the sixteenth centuryClare Anderson - ‘Being seen, heard and understood: putting language analysis to work in the workplace’
You are invited to a talk by Dr Clare Anderson, organised by the School of English's Language Discourse and Society research group.
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 17:00 - 18:00
More on Clare Anderson - ‘Being seen, heard and understood: putting language analysis to work in the workplace’