Dr. Aiden Hoyle is an Assistant Professor of Intelligence and Security at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) at Leiden University. His primary research interest is in foreign interference, with a particular emphasis on the use of disinformation by authoritarian states to influence international audiences. He earned his PhD in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam. Prior to joining Leiden University, he worked as an Applied Scientist at TNO Defense, Safety and Security, and taught in the Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) program at the University of Amsterdam.

More information about Aiden Hoyle

Dr. Aiden Hoyle is an Assistant Professor of Intelligence and Security at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) at Leiden University. His primary research interest is in foreign interference, with a particular emphasis on the use of disinformation by authoritarian states to influence international audiences.

In his doctoral research, Aiden looked at the Kremlin’s international strategic communication and the security issue this may pose to European states. In this, he examined Russian state-sponsored media narratives and their capacity to exacerbate societal tensions and elicit negative psychological responses. He has also explored strategies and policies for mitigating malign information influence, providing actionable insights for European organisations and governments. His broader research interests include hybrid threats and the role of psychological factors in the intelligence analysis process.

Aiden’s research has been published in academic journals such as Political Psychology, Post-Soviet Affairs, and European Security. Additionally, he has (co-)authored several reports commissioned by organisations, such as the European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats and NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.

Aiden holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Amsterdam and was a PhD research fellow at NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence in Riga, Latvia. Before joining Leiden University, he also worked as an Applied Scientist at TNO Defense, Safety and Security and taught at the Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics (PPLE) program at the University of Amsterdam.

At Leiden University, he contributes to teaching on the MSc in Crisis and Security Management.

Publications