428 Lindley Hall
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
Amanda Gesselman is a social–developmental psychologist, research scientist, and head of the VIBES research team at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. Digital intimacy is a major focus of her research, including how people use tools like camsites, AI companions, dating apps, and social media to navigate connection and desire.
Beyond the digital realm, Dr. Gesselman also studies broader relationship dynamics, including communication between romantic partners, experiences of being single, and how relationships can serve as sources of resilience or support during health challenges like epilepsy. She supervises a team of graduate and postdoctoral researchers who receive extensive training in research methodology and statistical modeling as they conduct research related to these themes.
Dr. Gesselman’s work has been featured in top media outlets including The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Netflix’s Explained series. Industry partnerships have been a defining feature of her work. She’s worked closely with Match, LiveJasmin, Clue, Lovehoney, DatingAdvice, and others to develop research that advances science and has real-world impact and welcomes collaborations with platforms, brands, or organizations interested in conducting innovative, scientifically grounded research on sex, relationships, or digital connection.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Florida, 2014
- M.S., University of Florida, 2011
- B.S., Columbus State University, 2009
Selected publications
Journal Articles
- Amanda N. Gesselman, Ellen M. Kaufman, Jessica T. Campbell, Margaret Bennett-Brown, Melissa Blundell Osorio, Camden Smith, Malia Piazza, Zoe Moscovici. (2025). The influence of erotic camsites on improving men’s body comfort: A qualitative analysis of mechanisms. PLOS One.
- Campbell, J. T., Bennett-Brown, M., Kaufman, E. M., Gesselman, A. N., Frederick, D. A., Garcia, J. R., & Mark, K. P. (2024). Women Who Experience More Affectionate Touch Report Better Body Satisfaction and Relationship Outcomes.The Journal of Sex Research, 62(5), 776–786.
- Dubé S, Gesselman AN, Kaufman EM, Bennett-Brown M, Ta-Johnson VP, Garcia JR. (2024). Beyond words: Relationships between emoji use, attachment style, and emotional intelligence. PLoS ONE 19(12):e0308880.
- Gesselman, A.N., Bennett-Brown, M., Dubé, S., Kaufman, E.M., Campbell, J.T., and Garcia, J.R. (2024). The lifelong orgasm gap: exploring age’s impact on orgasm rates. Sexual Medicine, 12(3).
- Margaret Bennett-Brown, Amanda N. Gesselman, Wendy R. Miller. (2023.) Constructive communication patterns as related to relationship satisfaction, seizure severity, and patient activation among people with epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 138, 108957.
- Gesselman, A. N., Kaufman, E. M., Marcotte, A. S., Reynolds, T. A., & Garcia, J. R. (2022). Engagement with Emerging Forms of Sextech: Demographic Correlates from a National Sample of Adults in the United States. The Journal of Sex Research, 60(2), 177–189.
Research interests
- Digital intimacy
- Dating apps, camsites, emerging sextech, and AI
- Global trends in the romantic and sexual lives of adults
- Relationships and health challenges
- Industry partnerships
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.