Rita Orji is a Full Professor of Computer Science and Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology at Dalhousie University, where she directs the Persuasive Computing Lab. Recognized among the world's top 2% scientists by Stanford University, she co-founded TechForward Impact NGO to build inclusive talent and champion responsible AI governance.
Her research at the intersection of technology and human behavior focuses on designing interactive technologies including AI systems, mobile applications, AR/VR, and games for social and public goods. She deploys these technologies to tackle real-life problems in various domains including safety and security, climate change, and health and wellness, to improve a wide range of outcomes such as mental health, healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation, sexual and other health risk behaviors.
With 400+ publications, 11,000+ citations, Professor Orji has secured millions in funding and supervised 180+ scholars while training thousands through AI bootcamps and mentorship. She maintains deep African connections through her role as a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow at Ebonyi State University, visiting faculty at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, and through extensive collaborations across African countries. Her culturally-adaptive technologies empower African communities, while her NGO and mentorship programs build technological capacity and champion responsible innovation throughout Africa.
She received her BSc in Computer Science from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, and a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. A Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, a member of the Royal Society of Canada College, and the Global Young Academy, she serves on UN AI Verification expert panels and journal editorial boards. Her 80+ prestigious awards include the NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellowship (2025), Canada's highest prize for early-career research in science and engineering, and the CS-Can Outstanding Young Computer Science Researcher Prize (2021), Canada's most prestigious recognition for early-career researchers in computing.
A recognized STEM diversity ambassador, Professor Orji has delivered 30 keynotes and 100+ invited talks internationally, including at UN STI Forum. Her journey exemplifies how African scholarship drives global innovation while addressing local challenges and promoting research excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM worldwide.
