Lobachevsky University scholars publish the first Russian textbook on cyberpsychology

In early February 2026, a team of scholars from Lobachevsky University published the country's first textbook on cyberpsychology. The authors of the book titled "Introduction to Cyberpsychology: A University Textbook" are Associate Professor Valeria Demareva, Head of the Cyberpsychology Department at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences, Associate Professor  Anastasia Golubinskaya, Senior Lecturer Valeria Vyakhireva, and Irina Zaitseva, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Cyberpsychology at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences.

Cyberpsychology is a field of applied psychology that studies how humans interact with virtual environments. This branch of science emerges at the intersection of psychology, information technology, and socio-cultural transformations. The textbook covers key concepts, methods, and applied areas of cyberpsychology, offering a comprehensive foundation for both introductory and advanced study of the subject.

"Developing our own textbook is crucial for adapting scientific knowledge to the cultural, social, and educational context of Russia. In the year marking the 110th anniversary of Lobachevsky University, our scholars continue to shape the global scientific landscape. The textbook reflects the unique aspects of digital behaviour, communication, and risks in Russian society, as well as the particularities of the national education system and professional training," noted Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.

The new textbook draws on an extensive body of international and Russian empirical studies, data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, statistics on digital technology usage, as well as the findings of the authors' own research projects in the field of cyberpsychology, digital security and online communication.

Currently, 30 Masters students are enrolled in the Russian–language programme at the Cyberpsychology Department, and 10 more are enrolled in the English-language programme. Fifteen students at the Bachelors level are working on term papers and theses in cyberpsychology. Students majoring in Psychology and Sociology at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences also study cyberpsychology disciplines and courses.

The Cyberpsychology Department was established at the UNN Faculty of Social Sciences on June 11, 2024. The Cyberpsychology Laboratory, which opened on April 13, 2021, will soon mark its fifth anniversary.