Renée DiResta studies the many ways that people attempt to manipulate, harass, or target others on the internet. Her research ranges from disinformation campaigns, to scams, to online child safety issues.

Until June of 2024, DiResta was technical research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory. SIO conducts a cross-disciplinary program of research, teaching, and policy engagement for the study of adversarial abuse in information technologies. With Renée’s guidance, SIO produced numerous publications in professional journals, and, in early 2024 was deemed by Inside Higher Ed as “a research powerhouse with a focus on social media amid growing misinformation.”

DiResta is the author of Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality. She has a large number of articles and essays in popular publications like The Atlantic, Wired, and national and international news outlets. Renée has advised the US Congress, the US State Department, and myriad academic, civil society, and business organizations on the mechanics of online manipulation, including algorithmic propaganda, conspiracy theories, terrorist activity, and state-sponsored information warfare.