Pepper Schwartz

Pepper Schwartz is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington, specializing in intimate relationships, family dynamics, sexuality, and gender studies. She holds a Ph.D. from Yale University (1974) and has contributed extensively to academic and popular discourse through 25 books and over 50 journal articles. Her research spans topics such as aging and sexuality, LGBTQ+ relationships, and the societal impact of technology on modern partnerships.

Affiliations: Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Board Member of the University of Minnesota’s Program on Human Sexuality, and former Relationship Ambassador for AARP. She also contributes to media platforms like TEDx, Lifetime’s Married at First Sight, and podcasts on intimacy and aging.

Research Interests: Dr. Schwartz focuses on the sociological dimensions of love, sex, and relationships across the lifespan, particularly in later adulthood. Her work emphasizes the need for inclusive policies and education around aging sexuality. Key themes include gender roles in relationships, cultural myths about intimacy, and the role of technology in modern dating.

Publications & Media: Notable books include 50 Great Myths of Human Sexuality and Relationship Rx. Her articles address topics like senior dating challenges, pandemic-era relationship resilience, and the societal stigmatization of aging sexuality. She regularly appears in media outlets like USA Today, NPR, and BBC to discuss her findings.

Awards & Recognition: Recipient of the ASA Public Understanding of Sociology Award and featured on Modern Mom’s Top 100 List. A permanent professorship at the University of Minnesota was established in her honor to promote research in aging and sexuality.