Amanda Gesselman, Ph.D.
Anita Aldrich Endowed Research Scientist
Head of Research Analytics and Methodology Core
Postdoctoral Training and Mentorship
Research Fellow, Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention
Dr. Amanda Gesselman is a social–developmental psychologist with additional training in advanced methodology and statistics. She has been with the Kinsey Institute since 2014, and is now the Head of Research Analytics and Methodology Core for the Kinsey Institute and the inaugural Anita Aldrich Endowed Research Scientist at Indiana University.
Over the last 10 years, Dr. Gesselman has been involved in a wide array of social–behavioral research. Her current research interests are in new trends in the romantic and sexual lives of adults around the world, the influence of close relationships on health and well-being, and how technology can be used to facilitate meaningful connections.
Dr. Gesselman has served as a scientific or statistical consultant for various corporations, non-profit organizations, and academic collaborations. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and covered by international media outlets including TIME, VICE, and Netflix’s Explained.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Florida, 2014
- M.S., University of Florida, 2011
- B.S., Columbus State University, 2009
Research interests
- New trends in the romantic and sexual lives of adults around the world
- The influence of close relationships on health and well-being
- How technology can be used to facilitate meaningful connections
Selected publications
Journal articles
- Gesselman, A. N., Druet, A., & Vitzthum, V. J. (2020). Mobile sex-tech apps: How use differs across global areas of high and low gender equality. PLOS ONE, 15, e0238501. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238501
- Lehmiller, J. L., Garcia, J. R., Gesselman, A. N., & Mark, K. P. (2020). Less sex, but more sexual diversity: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Leisure Sciences. doi: 10.1080/01490400.2020.1774016
- Webster, G. D., Smith, C. V., Orozco, T., Jonason, P. K., Gesselman, A. N., & Greenspan, R. L. (2020). Missed connections and embarrassing confessions: Using big data to examine sex differences in sexual omission and commission regret. Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences. doi: 10.1037/ebs0000199
- Gesselman, A. N., Franco, C. Y., Brodgon, E. M., Gray, P. B., Garcia, J. R., & Fisher, H. E. (2019). Perceptions of married life among single never-married, single ever-married, and married adults. Personal Relationships, 26, 586-601. doi: 10.1111/pere.12295
- Gesselman, A. N., Ta, V. P., & Garcia, J. R. (2019). Worth a thousand interpersonal words: emoji as affective signals for relationship-oriented digital communication. PLOS ONE, 14, e0221297. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221297
Current grants
2020
Loneliness, well-being and meaningful digital connections in LGBTQ+ individuals during COVID-19. Social Science Research Council. Role: Principal Investigator.
2020
Sex and Relationships in the Time of COVID-19. Office of the Vice President for Research, Indiana University. Role: Principal Investigator
2019-2020
Loneliness, mobile-mediated intimacy, and psychosocial well-being. Docler (Duodecad IT Services). Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Note for Students:
For applying or incoming graduate students interested in working with Dr. Gesselman: please note that because of Dr. Gesselman’s position as a research scientist, she does not have the ability to serve as a primary advisor for students. While she is open to collaboration with graduate students working with other faculty, she cannot take students herself or serve as Chair for a student’s thesis/dissertation.
For undergraduate students interested in research assistant positions: please note that the lab is full through December 2023. Check back mid-Fall 2023 for updates.