BDSM is, in some places, an academic subject within anthropology and related areas of research. It is necessary for the academic world to conduct research around different sexualities and sexual expression.
The tendencies, regarding the openess towards this specific type of research, are that many universities do not dare to be connected to controversial subjects like BDSM. We have a a couple of examples of this from Sweden as well. One example involved a student organisation that was going to have an information evening about alternative sexualities, which included BDSM. This was supposed to be held at the university, but was shut down by the university board when they got hold of the information that this evening was going to take place.
My opinion is that BDSM can be very controversial to some people, especially if you do not know very much about it. The only solution to this is to bridge the gaps by organising information nights, gatherings, parties etc. This is where the BDSM community has a responsibility to offer surfaces that will enable people to get more information about the kink.
I will be provocative as well and state that the web isn’t by far enough to learn about BDSM. You need to meet people, you need to interact with people in a setting that isn’t anonymous. The web is a good place to start, but it isn’t the only place to gather information from.
Nicholas Maronese has written “Between studying and spanking” over at Excalibur, York university’s community newspaper. It’s a good article about how BDSM among the students as well as among the staff exists in a sort of twilight zone. There are some initiatives taking place that tries to move BDSM out of the closet, but also a fear of losing your job or social status.
It’s a very interesting article to read.