Gender & Sexuality Research

Dr Morandini is an internationally recognised researcher in the field of gender identity and sexual orientation.

He has published widely on these topics in academic journals, has lectured on undergraduate and postgraduate psychology programs, and provides clinical supervision on these issues to clinical psychologists and other health professionals in Australia and abroad. He is a full member of the Australian Professional Association of Transgender Health (AUSPATH) and has a range of international research collaborations on gender dysphoria, including with The Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), London, as well as research teams at Northwestern and Penn State University.
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Research Philosophy:
The belief underlying Dr Morandini’s research is that sexual and gender minorities deserve access to rigorous and high quality scientific research to assist them in understanding themselves, being understood by others, and receiving the support they need. He believes that empirical and scientific knowledge is empowering and the most effective tool combating irrational stigma. He is concerned about ideology and anti-truth movements biasing the scientific process and denying sexual and gender minorities with accurate knowledge by which to navigate the world.  
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Major Research Areas:
‣Predictors of response to gender-affirming social and medical interventions among gender-diverse populations
‣Understanding and destigmatising trans women/non-binary femmes who experience autogynephilia/autoheterosexuality
‣Male identified cross-dressers sexuality and mental health
‣Diverse pathways to gender diversity and clinical implications
‣Diverse pathways to bisexual identity in birth assigned males
‣Minority stress and mental health in LGBTIQ+ populations

Successful Sexuality/
Gender Grants:

‣Investigating structural and functional connectivity in the bisexual brain (2020). Morandini J, Dar -Nimrod I. American Institute of Bisexuality; Research Grant ($14,000 USD)
‣Exploring the diverse pathways to bisexuality in cisgender men. Morandini J, Hsu, K. American Institute of Bisexuality; Research Grant ($7,000 USD)
‣Is there more than one type of transgender brain? Using MRI to explore typologies of transgender natal males and females (2019). Morandini J., Dar-Nimrod I; School of Psychology; Seed Grant ($19,000 AUD)
‣Gender, Sexuality, Identity, Personality, and Mental Health of Cross-Dressers and Transfeminine People. Hsu., K., Morandini., J (2023). Conru Foundation ($30,000 USD)
‣Pathways to Bisexual Identity: Exploring the Heterogeneity of Bisexual Identity Sub-types (2024). American Institute of Bisexuality ($20,000 USD)

Guest Editorials:

I am serving as Guest Editor of a Special issue
of Clinical Psychologist "Acknowledging the
Diversity of Gender Diverse Populations"
focusing on diverse pathways to trans/
non-binary identities, and shared and unique
stressors/ resilience factors observed within
gender diverse subpopulations (Submission
deadline August 1st, 2024).  https://think.
taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/
gender-diverse-populations
implications-clinical-practice/