Dr. Rhonda Balzarini is a social psychologist whose research examines romantic and sexual relationships and the changing ways people form and maintain intimate connections. Her research program focuses on three interconnected areas: the social and structural factors that shape opportunities for in-person intimacy, the growing role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in romantic and sexual connection, and the implications of these changing contexts for sexual health and relationship well-being.

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Dr. Balzarini is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Texas State University and a Research Affiliate at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.

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She also serves as the Associate Editor of Archives of Sexual Behavior and Personality and Individual Differences, and as Chair of the The Love Consortiums Marketing and Public Relations Committee.

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Dr. Balzarini’s research has been featured in major media outlets including Rolling Stone, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, BBC, and Psychology Today. Her work frequently extends beyond academia through collaborations with industry partners. She has worked with Playboy, LiveJasmin, Meta, Standard Innovation, and others to conduct research on sex, relationships, and emerging forms of digital intimacy and connection. These partnerships allow her to pair rigorous relationship science with large-scale, real-world questions about how people form, maintain, and navigate intimate relationships. She is always interested in exploring new collaborations with platforms, brands, and organizations seeking to conduct innovative, scientifically grounded research on relationships, sexuality, and human connection. Interested in working together? Use the form below to start the conversation.