Alyssa Nolan
M.A. Student
Keywords: Loneliness, social support, student well-being, technology, generative AI
Alyssa Nolan is a Master’s student in the Solitude and Loneliness Lab at Carleton University. Her research examines how generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Replika, Gemini) is used by students as a form of companionship during the transition to university. In particular, she is interested in how AI-mediated relationships may function as social surrogates, shaping students’ experiences of solitude and loneliness. Her work explores whether these relationships buffer or intensify the effects of social risk on well-being outcomes such as belonging, connectedness, and life satisfaction. Beyond this focus, she maintains a broader interest in technology and its influence on social connection, mental health, and everyday human experiences.