Liesel Sharabi

Liesel Sharabi is an Associate Professor at the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University (ASU), where she directs the Relationships and Technology Lab. Her research focuses on the intersection of communication technologies and modern romance, particularly online dating platforms, algorithmic matchmaking, and virtual reality's role in relationships. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015), and prior faculty positions included West Virginia University and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Her work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Social and Personal Relationships and Communication Research, as well as media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and WIRED. Sharabi has received prestigious awards including the 2022 Early Career Award (National Communication Association) and the 2024 Franklin Knower Article Award.

Her research interests include: (1) algorithmic influences on mate selection, (2) virtual reality applications in romantic contexts, (3) dating app burnout and mental health, and (4) LGBTQ+ relationship experiences on digital platforms. Current grants include studies on communication interdependence in daily life and virtual touch in relationships.

Sharabi has advised over 15 graduate students and co-authored 50+ publications. She maintains a Psychology Today blog (Dating in the Digital Age) and frequently speaks at conferences on topics like AI in dating and post-pandemic relational dynamics.