Professor Rita Orji

Prof. Rita Orji is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and a Computer Science Prof. at Dalhousie University, Canada where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Her research is at the intersection of technology and human behaviour with a major interest in investigating user-centered approaches to designing technologies to assist people for actions and causes that are beneficial for them and their communities as well as how technologies can be designed for the under-served populations. She applies her research to tackle real-life problems in various domains including improving a wide range of health and wellness objectives such as promoting mental health, and discouraging risky health behaviours including risky sexual behaviours, smoking cessation, promoting safety, security, and environmental sustainability.

She has attracted millions of dollars in grants to support her work. With over 150 peer-reviewed publications Prof. Orji was recently recognized as one of the Top 150 Canadian Women in Science, STEM, one of the Top 60 African Women in STEM, Top 50 Young Most Influential Best Brains in Enugu State, Nigeria, Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women, and admitted into the Royal Society of Canada. She also won many research excellence awards and a digital leadership award as a Women Leader in Digital Economy for her work in advancing technology both in Canada and in her native country of Nigeria. She is a renowned speaker who has delivered 9 Keynotes, over 50 invited talks, and many public presentations, and over 100 instances of media coverage including by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), StarPhoenix on account both her research and STEM diversity advocacy. She also spoke at a UN panel.

Above all, Prof. Orji is a Champion of diversity and inclusion in STEM through her numerous activities and using herself as a practical example. She founded the Education for Women and the Less Privileged foundation. She is passionate about inspiring the next generation of female tech. leaders; promoting research excellence; and equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM