Contact details +6469519216
Professor Tracy Morison PhD
Associate Professor
Doctoral Supervisor School of PsychologyI am an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology with over 19 years of experience in teaching and research. I hold adjunct appointments as an honorary research associate of Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction at Rhodes University and (incoming) Editor-in-Chief of Feminism & Psychology journal.
Trained as a research psychologist, I previously worked as a full-time researcher in a national social science council in South Africa, the Human Sciences Research Council, with a mandate to produce "Social Science [research] that makes a difference" in people's lives.
My major scholarly contributions are in the areas of (1) sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice; (2) sexual and reproductive decision-making, and; (3) qualitative methodology. My primary research focus is on sexual and reproductive health. I take a reproductive justice perspective, which emphasises how the social context shapes reproductive decisions and practices.
I use feminist and critical theories, alongside in-depth qualitative methodologies, to explore the social contexts in which people’s sexual and reproductive interactions, practices, and decisions occur. My work addresses topics such as contraception, abortion, sexual violence prevention, and health access for marginalised groups.
Driven by a solid commitment to social justice, the aim of my work is to show how options are opened or closed down for people from marginalised social groups and to identify structural and systemic issues that need to be addressed to support everyone’s sexual and reproductive rights. As part of this, I feel strongly about making academic knowledge more accessible and extending research findings beyond academic spaces through policy work and application in real-world settings.
More at www.tracymorison.com.
Associate Professor and outgoing coordinator of the MSc in Health Psychology Program in the School of Psychology. Adjunct appointments include Honorary Research Associate of Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction at Rhodes University and the Editor-in-Chief of Feminism & Psychology. (More at www.tracymorison.com.)
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: X86216
Location: 3.28, School of Psychology
Campus: Albany
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy - Rhodes University (2011)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Prizes and Awards
- College Research Award – Supervisor - College of Humanities & Social Sciences: Massey University (2024)
- Mid-career Researcher Award - International Society for Critical Health Psychology (2021)
- Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Humanities Book Award - Long List: Morison & Macleod (2015) Men's pathways to parenthood. - Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) Humanities Book Award (2016)
- I am an Honorary Research Associate Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction, Department of Psychology, Rhodes University, South Africa. - Rhodes University (2012)
- Selected for Emerging Psychologists’ Programme - International Congress of Psychology (2012)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
My main areas of interest and expertise are in sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice including, but not limited to the following.
- Main focus areas: Contraception, abortion, and pregnancy
- Reproductive decision-making (including choosing parenthood or voluntary childlessness)
- Gendered aspects of Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Sexualities (including heterosexuality) and Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Sexual and Reproductive Health services, especially for LGBTQ+ and other marginalised groups
- Related topics like sex education, activism/advocacy, or health service access and use
- Feminist theory, including Feminist Poststructuralism and Reproductive Justice Theory
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship, Health and Well-being
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Developmental Psychology and Ageing (170102):
Gender Psychology (170105):
Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology (170106):
Psychology (170100):
Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000):
Social and Community Psychology (170113)
Keywords
- Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice
- Gender and feminism
- Critical theory
- Qualitative methods
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Balancing access and agency in Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) programming: Developing a reproductive justice framework for Aotearoa New Zealand
Date Range: 2019 - 2023
Funding Body: Royal Society of New Zealand
Project Team:
- Prof Tracy Morison - Project Leader
- Dr Jade Sophia Le Grice - Team Member
- Catriona Macleod - Team Member
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T., Riley, S., Tappin, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Riley, S., Stephens, C., Tappin, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T., Riley, S., Tappin, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Taylor, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T., Stephens, C.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Taylor, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T., Stephens, C.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T., Stephens, C.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Book Review]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Journal article]Authored by: Morison, T.
Book
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T., Van Ommen, C.Edited by: Van Ommen, C.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Reference Book]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T.
[Reference Book]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Reference Book]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.

[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.

[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Reference Book]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Hodgetts, D.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Edited by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Authored Book]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Authored Book]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.Contributed to by: Morison, T.
[Chapter]Authored by: Morison, T.
Creative Work
[Film or Video]Authored by: Morison, T.

Thesis
[Doctoral Thesis]Authored by: Morison, T.
Report
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Morison, T.
Conference
[Conference Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K.

[Conference Other]Authored by: Morison, T.Contributed to by: Morison, T.

[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Morison, T., Riley, S.

[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Healy-Cullen, S., Morison, T., Ross, K., Taylor, J.

[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference Poster]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
Other
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.

[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.Contributed to by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Other]Authored by: Morison, T.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Morison, T.
Consultancy and Languages
Languages
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English
Last used: Now
Spoken ability: Excellent
Written ability: Excellent -
Afrikaans
Last used: Today
Spoken ability: Average
Written ability: Average
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Statement
Outgoing MSc Health Psychology Programme coordinator
Course Coordinator*
- Understanding Health and Illness
- Applying Health Psychology
*I have teaching cover and will resume in 2026.
Graduate Supervision Statement
I view students as apprentice researchers and aim to balance structured guidance with pastoral support. Drawing on my background in research project management, I help students break their work into manageable phases and develop core research skills, including project planning, budgeting, and information management.
I welcome students using qualitative methods and critical theories to explore sexual and reproductive health (SRH), rights, and justice. My expertise includes, but is not limited to:
-
Contraception, abortion, and pregnancy
-
Reproductive decision-making, including voluntary childlessness
-
Gendered dimensions of SRH
-
Sexualities (including heterosexuality) and SRH
-
SRH services for LGBTQ+ and other marginalised groups
-
Related areas such as sex education, activism, and health service access
-
Feminist theory, especially Feminist Poststructuralism and Reproductive Justice Theory
I welcome students using qualitative methods and critical theories to explore sexual and reproductive health (SRH), rights, and justice. My expertise includes, but is not limited to:
-
Contraception, abortion, and pregnancy
-
Reproductive decision-making, including voluntary childlessness
-
Gendered dimensions of SRH
-
Sexualities (including heterosexuality) and SRH
-
SRH services for LGBTQ+ and other marginalised groups
-
Related areas such as sex education, activism, and health service access
- Feminist theory, especially Feminist Poststructuralism and Reproductive Justice Theory
Some examples of student projects I have supervised:
-
Youth sexuality: relationship and sex education policy; engagement with pornography
- Voluntary childless: childfree older women
-
Mothering/caregiving: Breastfeeding working mothers; cross-cultural adoption
- Other SRH: Smoking during pregnancy, Supporting intellectually disabled women's SRHR, Young women’s experiences of painful sex
- Sexuality: Sexual intimacy among gay men using PreP; coming out as bisexual (women); lesbian 'bed death', media representations of women's sexual desire
- Intimate partner violence (IPV): media representations of IPV
Professor Tracy Morison is not currently available for Masters or Doctoral supervision.
Media and Links
Media
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31 May 2013 - Magazine
Opinion editorial: Reproductive Justice
News Magazine article -
31 Jan 2015 - Magazine
Article: Family Diversity
News magazine article -
30 Sep 2015 - Magazine
Article: 'Non-conventional' families
News magazine article -
28 Mar 2019 - Newspaper
Interview for WIRED: voluntary childlessness
WIRED article by Emma Gray Ellis -
28 Jun 2022 - Newspaper
Abortion Laws in Aotearoa NZ
News Hub Media - interview - view more...
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28 Jun 2022 - Television
Abortion laws in Aotearoa NZ
News Hub Late Edition -
28 Apr 2015 - Radio
Interview: voluntary childlessness
Radio 702 (South African national Talk Radio station) -
26 Aug 2022 - Online
Who decides women’s best interests?
Opinion Editorial -
24 Feb 2022 - Radio
Interview on national telehealth abortion service
Interview with 95b FM -
23 Sep 2015 - Radio
Interview: Gay fathers & caregivers
Unisa Radio (South African campus radio station) -
22 Sep 2015 - Online
Article: Gay fathers & caregivers
Invited contribution for The Conversation -
20 Sep 2022 - Online, Newspaper
What the abortion statistics actually say
Provided expert advice and reviewed -
18 May 2022 - Newspaper
Interview with MU Journalism student, B. Stone
Interviewed for 3-part feature on abortion to be published freelance -
17 Aug 2017 - Radio
Interview: Men's Pathways to Parenthood
Interviewed on SAFM 'The Talk Shop' with Naledi Moleo (a South African national radio station) about my co-authored book (Morison & Macleod, 2015) -
15 Nov 2021 - Other
Linguistics lounge - expert contributor
Surfing the Crimson Wave: Talking and not talking about menstruation Tony Fisher talks to Dr Tracy Morrison and Professor Alma Gottlieb about menstruation, its meaning in different cultures, and the m -
14 Aug 2024 - Online
RE News
Interview on Voluntary Childlessness among young people -
13 Jun 2022 - Newspaper
Interviewed by S. Solomon
Talking to children about menstruation -
13 Jun 2022 - Newspaper, Online
Talking to kids about periods
Stuff News, Serena Solomon, talking about periods with children -
10 Sep 2021 - Online
Mid-Career Award feature
Rhodes University academic and alumnae win big at inaugural ISCHP awards -
07 Oct 2021 - Video
"MENSTRUATION MYTHS AND PERCEPTIONS" (EONZ)
Contributed to EONZ resource, which includes a four-part video series. The videos address some of the key topics covered in the resource. It is delivered in a youth-friendly and engaging way, so it’s -
07 Oct 2020 - Newspaper
Op-ed: social stigma behind & period poverty
We need to tackle the social stigma behind period poverty -
06 Jun 2019 - Newspaper
Interview NZ Herald: Voluntary childlessness
Jamie Morton for New Zealand Herald -
05 Nov 2018 - Newspaper, Online
Interview: same-sex parenthood & families
Interview for News24 about my queer parenthood and my forthcoming editted book, Queer Kinship, with Beth Amato. -
02 Dec 2015 - Radio
Interview: Gay fathers & caregivers
Interview on SAFM (national South African radio station) about my research -
02 Aug 2022 - Newspaper, Online
Interview
Stuff News, Michelle Duff, Abortion -
01 Nov 2022 - Newspaper
Telehealth service expands access to safe abortion
RNZ -
01 Nov 2022 - Radio
Interview on RNZ Morning Report
Phone option for abortions rolling out -
01 Mar 2013 - Magazine
"What to expect when you're not expecting"
Women's Health, Carrie Anton, March 2013 -
01 Jun 2022 - Online
Interviewed by S. Lang, CapsuleNZ on abortion
Provided expertise for a piece on abortion access in the USA and the impact on NZ and the rest of the world. -
01 Feb 2020 - Magazine
Interview North & South: Voluntary childlessness
- view less...
Other Links
- Professional website - Learn more about Dr Morison's work, access her publications, and connect with her here.

