Rita Orji

Rita Orji is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and is an NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellow. She leads the Persuasive Computing Lab and is actively involved in the Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Visualization and Graphics research cluster.

Her research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction, Persuasive Technology, Games for Change, and Digital Health, with an emphasis on designing user-centered interactive systems for behavior change, particularly in health and wellness domains. Her work targets underserved populations through HCI for Development (HCI4D) and applies AI, machine learning, and gamification to promote healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and smoking cessation.

Dr. Orji has received numerous scientific awards and recognitions, including being appointed to the Royal Society of Canada, named among the Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women, and recognized as one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada. She is a Vanier Scholar and Banting Postdoctoral Fellow, reflecting her academic excellence.

• Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology
• NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellow
• Appointed to the Royal Society of Canada (2020)
• Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women (2021)
• LinkedIn Top Influencer - Africa Top Voice (2020)
• Research Excellence Award, Dalhousie University (2019)

She has supervised a vast number of students at all levels, including PhD, Master’s, and undergraduate researchers, many of whom have worked on persuasive apps for mental health, AI-driven coaching, gamified interventions, and health equity. Her lab is well-funded, notably by an NSERC Discovery Grant, and she has delivered keynotes at major international conferences such as ISRII and AfriCHI.

Dr. Orji directs the Persuasive Computing Lab, a vibrant research group that includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD and Master’s students, and research interns, all working on interdisciplinary projects at the intersection of computing, psychology, and public health.