James’s research examines how sexual and gender experiences develop, why pathways differ between people, and how clinicians can respond with greater precision and humanity.
The programme brings together basic science, psychophysiology, psychometrics, longitudinal methods and clinical research—based on the notion that sexuality- and gender-focused research and clinical support should be truth-oriented and evidence-based.
Etiology of male androphilia and female gynephilia, subtypes of male bisexuality, same-sex attraction and gender nonconformity, psychophysiological measurement of sexual-arousal patterns, sexual-orientation beliefs, identity development and minority stress.
Distinct etiological pathways to gender dysphoria; predictors of gender dysphoria, transition and mental-health outcomes; autogynephilia; gender nonconformity; and evidence-based clinical support.
Select a research theme to see the underlying questions, projects, funding and linked outputs.
Etiology, attraction patterns, bisexual subtypes, psychophysiological measurement, identity development and minority stress.
View projects, grants and papersThis programme examines the etiology of male androphilia and female gynephilia; subtypes of male bisexuality; relationships between same-sex attraction and gender nonconformity; psychophysiological measurement of sexual-arousal patterns; and the roles of sexual-orientation beliefs, identity development and minority stress.
The aim is to distinguish meaningfully different pathways and patterns rather than treating broad identity categories as homogeneous.
Etiological pathways, predictors, transition and mental-health outcomes, autogynephilia, gender nonconformity and evidence-based support.
View projects, grants and papersProgramme strands have included longitudinal research with cross-dressers and transfeminine people; predictors and outcomes of paediatric social transition; parental beliefs and support for medical interventions; comparisons of intervention outcomes across distinct gender-diverse subpopulations; autogynephilia; gender nonconformity; and evidence-based clinical assessment and support.
James also served as Guest Editor for the Clinical Psychologist special issue “Acknowledging the Diversity of Gender Diverse Populations,” focused on varied pathways to trans and non-binary identities, shared and distinct stressors, resilience factors and clinical implications.
James translates recent research on autogynephilia among bisexual men for a general audience, considering what the findings mean for sexual-health research, clinical understanding and reducing stigma.
Read the articleResearch supervision
A record of current and completed doctoral, postgraduate and honours work across sexuality, gender dysphoria, identity, minority stress and psychophysiological research.
Understanding the heterogeneity of bisexual identity: phenomenologically and etiologically distinct sub-types.
Adolescent gender dysphoria: a conceptual and empirical integration.
A proposal for the investigation into the gender identification of Chinese gender non-binary individuals.
Navigating Identity and Wellbeing: links between Chinese identity, acculturation, social support and wellbeing among Chinese LGB and heterosexual migrants in Australia.
Minority stress and mental health in cisgender male cross-dressers.
COVID-19 and its Impact on Intimate Relationships.
The good, the bad, and the uncomfortable: teacher–student perspectives of high-school experiences among sexuality- and gender-diverse young adults.
Feminine Versus Masculine: implications for gay male status attainment.
Neural correlates of bisexuality in women.
Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy & Psychological Wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Setting the Record “Straight”: influence of fluid and continuous beliefs on self-perceptions of sexual orientation.
BIDAR: can listeners detect if a man is bisexual from his voice alone?
Do essentialist beliefs about gender identity predict parental support for their child’s medical gender transition? Investigating gender and transgender essentialism and support for gender-affirming hormonal interventions.
Minority stress and mental wellbeing in androphilic-leaning, ambiphilic and gynephilic-leaning bisexual males.
Sexual versus romantic-orientation discordance in gay, bisexual and heterosexual men.
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Dr James Morandini is a clinical psychologist and researcher working at the intersection of sexuality, gender identity, gender dysphoria and mental health.
His programme of research asks how sexual and gender experiences develop, why they differ across people, and how clinicians can respond with greater accuracy and compassion. It brings together clinical science, psychometrics, longitudinal research and international collaboration.
Current themes include sexual-orientation beliefs and bisexuality; heterogeneity within gender-diverse populations; predictors and trajectories of gender dysphoria; and the translation of research into assessment, supervision and clinical care.
James supervises higher-degree and postgraduate researchers and collaborates with colleagues in Australia and internationally. For a chronological record, see Publications.
‣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)
James served as Guest Editor for the Clinical Psychologist special issue “Acknowledging the Diversity of Gender Diverse Populations.” The issue focused on varied pathways to trans and non-binary identities, together with shared and distinct stressors, resilience factors and implications for clinical practice.
Current
Ph.D. students 2024 ongoing (USYD): Michael Kassara. Understanding the heterogeneity of bisexual identity: phenomenologically and etiologically distinct sub-types2023 ongoing (WSU): Hollie Hammond.Adolescent Gender Dysphoria: A conceptual and empirical integration
2022 ongoing (USYD): Mx Sue Ji. A proposal for the investigation into the gender identification of Chinese gender non-binary individuals
2022 ongoing (USYD): Ting Zhou. Navigating Identity and Wellbeing: Exploring the links between Chinese Identity, Acculturation, Social Support, and Wellbeing among Chinese LGB and heterosexual migrants in Australia
Past 2020-2023 (USYD): Dr Liam Dacosta. COVID-19 and its Impact on Intimate Relationships
See dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/2123/32203
2016-2020 (USYD): Dr Ruth Kuntzma. The good, the bad, and the uncomfortable: Teacher-student perspectives of high school experiences of sexuality and gender diverse young adults
See dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/2123/26952
Masters Current 2023 ongoing (UTS): Rebecca Cobcroft: Minority Stress and Mental Health in Cis Male Cross-DressersPast
2018-2021 (USD): Benjamin Gerrard. Feminine Versus Masculine: Implications for Gay Male Status Attainment
See dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/2123/25684
2020-2022 (USYD): Marlon Woods. Neural Correlates of Bisexuality in Women.
See dissertation: https://hdl.handle.net/2123/31275
2022-2023 (ACU): Fabian Friedrich. Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy & Psychological Wellbeing: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
See dissertation:
Dr Morandini and student Jessica Prout at IASR Berlin
2018 (USYD): Dr Liam Dacosta. Setting the Record ‘Straight’: Influence of Fluid and Continuous Beliefs on Self-Perceptions of Sexual Orientation Dissertation: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/
urn:aaid:sc:AP:440c27f8-c4ca-48bd-892d-33ab5efcb924
2019 (USYD): Damian Beckman-Scott. BIDAR: Can listeners detect if a man is bisexual from his voice alone?
2023 (USYD): Patrick Lewis. Do essentialist beliefs about gender identity predict parental support for their child's medical gender transition? Investigating gender and transgender essentialism and support for gender-affirming hormonal interventions
2023 (UTS): Isabella Andonoski. Minority Stress And Mental Wellbeing In Androphilic-leaning, Ambiphilic, and Gynephilic-leaning Bisexual Males
2023 (UTS): Jessica Prout. Sexual vs Romantic Orientation Discordance in Gay, Bisexual, & Heterosexual Men
Dr Morandini and student Dr Ruth Kuntzman
Dr Morandini’s news articles gender related topics:
https://au.reachout.com/identity/gender/how-to-support-someone-with-their-gender-affirmation
Dr Morandini’s news articles on sexuality related topics:
https://theconversation.com/gay-gene-testing-apps-arent-just-misleading-theyre-dangerous-126522
https://www.queermajority.com/essays-all/the-chameleons-of-sexuality
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog
/who-me/202109/i-always-thought-i-was-exclusively-straight
https://www.medicalrepublic.com.au/being-straight-not-that-straightforward/5950
https://www.technologynetworks.com/
neuroscience/news/do-you-think-youre-exclusively-straight-352985
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/does-mean-identify-pansexual-panromantic-131715410.html
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2021/12/
straight-people-arent-straight-might-think/
https://www.queerty.com/straight-people-arent-nearly-straight-think-study-suggests-20220102
https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/sex/think-youre-exclusively-straight-you-could-be-right-or-wrong-5cc87dc9-4381-5700-9a89-f95484a273df
Dr Morandini’s news articles on other mental health care topics:
https://thebigsmoke.com.au/2023/11/23/
equity-in-mental-health-care-an-experts-mission-for-a-diverse-australia/
Current Studies
