Verena Distler

Understanding human experiences in the presence of technology

I am an assistant professor at Aalto University (Finland), where I head the Research Group Humans, Security and Privacy. I conduct research at the intersection of psychology, human-computer interaction, and security/privacy.

My research examines human resilience to deception and risk in digital environments. I study how people experience and respond to social engineering, misinformation, and other forms of online manipulation, and how technology can strengthen critical judgement and informed decision-making.  I use both qualitative and quantitative methods to understand the complex relationships between people and technology.

Before joining Aalto, I worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Munich. I earned my Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Luxembourg, during which I also completed a research stay at CMU’s Cylab. I also hold a master’s degree in social sciences from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon in France.

The best way to reach me is email: verena.distler AT aalto.fi

Last updated: September 2025