The Impact of Past or Current Adult Industry/Sex Work Experience in Academia

Although sex work in academia has been studied in the context of undergraduate student involvement, to date, no study has empirically examined the experiences of graduate students and academic faculty members involved in adult industry/sex work. Considering the potential negative impacts on the reputation and professional futures of those in academia who occupy professionalized spaces, it is important to understand how these individuals may be impacted in their careers. In this study, we distributed an online survey to graduate students and professional academics who had engaged in adult industry/sex work at some point, either currently or in the past. We thematically analyzed qualitative responses from 29 participants who reported on how their adult industry/sex work impacted their academic experiences. Five main overarching themes were identified, including impacts on their academic trajectory, attitudes toward academia, finances, and attitudes toward others, as well as no impact on their academic experience. No one theme dominated the responses, suggesting that the effects of adult industry/sex work on academic life are not universal, but instead may be shaped by intersecting identities and experiences.