About Dr. Treena Orchard

As an anthropologist, author, and activist, Dr. Treena Orchard is committed to social change. For over twenty years, she has conducted research about sexuality, gender and health with people in sex work, folx impacted by HIV/AIDS, and Indigenous communities. Dr. Orchard is a lead author on landmark publications about sex work in India and Canada, along with papers that explore sexuality and disability, the experiences of Indigenous youth, and counselors who work with male survivors of sexual abuse. Her book about the arts-based research method called body mapping revolutionized the field and is being adapted in exciting ways around the world.

Treena also enjoys creative writing and regularly submits her work to literary journals and competitions. Several of her entries have received recognition, including the poem ‘An Inky Truth’ submitted to Tadpole Press’s 100-word story competition. It made the longlist of winners in 2025!

Fascinated by digital technology and relationships of all kinds, Dr. Orchard also writes about dating apps and-gasp- her own swiping experiences. Her dating app articles have been read and cited by thousands of people on academic and popular platforms, which is gratifying and exciting! These experiences and insights are the focus of her new book, Sticky, Sexy, Sad: Swipe Culture & The Darker Side of Dating Apps, published by AEVO, the hot new trade imprint from the University of Toronto Press.

Dr. Treena Orchard studied history and anthropology at several top-tier Canadian universities, including the Centre for Research in HIV/AIDS in Vancouver, British Columbia, one of the world’s leading training and research institutes. She is a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, the Canadian Writer’s Union, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Currently based in London, Ontario, colloquially known as ‘the city between Toronto and Detroit’, she lives in a lovely historic home that includes two very spoiled cats, a lush garden, and many books.