The Science of BDSM is an academic research team out of Northern Illinois University doing scholarly work on the functioning and application of BDSM. The team’s members include Kathryn Klement, Ellen Lee, and Brad Sagarin who have published numerous papers and given frequent presentaitons based on their research. You can find an updated accounting of their publications and presentations here:
Meanwhile they also manage a lively blog!
http://scienceofbdsm.blogspot.com/
Thanks to Soror Hypatia for the tip!