Dr. Chivers prefers a close supervision style, consisting of weekly one-on-one meetings with students to review progress towards goals and discuss challenges therein, biweekly lab meetings to manage the lab's research program as a group, and near-daily contact with students via email. Student work is given top priority.

The SageLab is equipped with testing systems for assessment of: 1) genital vasocongestion using vaginal, clitoral, and penile plethysmography, and thermographic imaging; 2) contiguous self-report of sexual response; 3) biometric signals (e.g., heart rate); and 4) visual attention using a Tobii remote eyetracker. Depending on their research projects, students become experts in all stages of system application, including use with human subjects, data acquisition techniques, data preparation and analysis. Students also gain experience with cognitive assessment methods, and video/image editing software to prepare experimental stimuli.

Dr. Chivers works directly with students on all stages of research dissemination, including data interpretation, preparation of podium/poster presentations, and all steps of publishing manuscripts in academic journals. Graduate students also assist with preparation of grant applications for internal competitions. Senior graduate and postgraduate students also receive media training to broaden their knowledge translation capacity. At the end of every academic year, we have a SageLab research day, where students at all levels present their work to the lab.

Students assume leadership of their projects very early in their training, from ordering supplies and small equipment (e.g., transducers), to managing a research budget and leading a research team. With Dr. Chivers' guidance, graduate students manage teams of undergraduate students assigned to their projects; they also assist in supervision of Honours theses, directed laboratory students, and research assistants. Gradu students are also encouraged to seek leadership roles in the academic and general communities.

Dr. Chivers trains students in peer review of manuscripts, conference submissions, and grants by working alongside them, coaching them through the process and reviewing their work. Students are socialized into a culture of an engaged, supportive, and positive team in the lab. They are encouraged to provide feedback on each others’ work, both written and oral, learning how to give and receive constructive criticism.

Dr. Chivers introduces her students to colleagues at conferences and, in her own presentations, highlights their contributions to the research. Students quickly connect with their academic community, both nationally and internationally, and emerge from graduate school with a well-developed international network.

Demand for specialized training in sexuality research has grown significantly. Students will be well-equipped to collaborate, consult, and train with others involved in a wide array of research programs, including sexual science, psychophysiology, cognitive neuroscience, behavioural neuroendocrinology, evolutionary science, medicine, and clinical psychology. Our training prepares students to seek careers in academic, industry, and applied health settings, implementing a gender-based perspective.

When it comes to SageLab's graduated MSc students, three are PhD candidates at Queen's, three are in private practice here in Kingston, one is now an assistant professor at The University of British Columbia, and another is a postdoctoral fellow at Dalhousie University.

Out of the 26 Honours thesis students Dr. Chivers has trained, the majority went on to graduate school in clinical psychology, social work, counselling, social/personality psychology, or community psychology, and others have pursued law school, or are currently working as research assistants and associates.

SageLab students have accrued an impressive list of awards and fellowships: 11 best student presentations/manuscript prizes; 4 NSERC summer studentships; 11 tricouncil fellowships at MSc, PhD, and PDF levels; 13 provincial graduate fellowships; 4 graduate level prizes for highest academic standing; and 5 awards for academic excellence.