Biography:
Rita Orji is a Nigerian-Canadian computer scientist who is a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology and the Director of the Persuasive Computing Lab at Dalhousie University. Her work is in the area of human-computer interaction with a major focus on designing interactive systems to achieve health and well-being objectives. She has won over 70 awards and recognitions from both national and international organizations. She has addressed a United Nations panel about the status of women and at the Parliament of Canada.
Orji grew up in Enugu State, Nigeria. She is Igbo by tribe. She was raised by parents, Maria and Okonkwo Orji, who never attended school, in a remote town called Owelli with no electricity and pipe-borne water. She is one of nine siblings, and her parents supported the family through peasant farming. Despite not having access to a computer, Orji was admitted to study Computer Science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Remarkably, she graduated at the top of her class with First-Class Honours.
During her secondary education, Orji entered the Nigerian team for the International Mathematical Olympiad, showcasing her exceptional mathematical abilities. In 2002, she launched Education for Women and the Less Privileged in Nigeria, a non-profit organization that provides mentorship and scholarships for women in education.
Orji’s thirst for knowledge led her to join a master’s program at the Middle East Technical University. She was the only African student in her class but embraced the opportunity to broaden her horizons. In 2009, she completed her master’s degree and then moved to Canada as a graduate student.
In 2012, Orji had the privilege of presenting at the Parliament of Canada, where she spoke about health promotion and disease prevention. Her dedication and commitment to her research earned her a Vanier scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. She continued her academic journey and earned her Ph.D. at the University of Saskatchewan in 2014, becoming the first woman from her town of 50,000 people to achieve such a remarkable feat.
After completing her Ph.D., Orji joined McGill University as a postdoctoral fellow, where she focused on technological interventions that could effect behavioral change. In 2016, she joined the Games Institute at the University of Waterloo as a Banting Fellow, further establishing herself as a leading figure in the field of persuasive technology. Her research interests mainly revolve around designing technologies for promoting health and wellness, as well as technologies for promoting social and public goods.
In 2017, Orji joined the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University as an assistant professor, further expanding her impact within the academic community. Her work centers around the design of interactive systems and persuasive technologies, particularly aiming to benefit under-served populations. Notably, she has conducted extensive studies on how culture and age influence the efficacy of persuasive technologies. Her research has shed light on how factors such as reward, competition, social comparison, and social learning differ between men and women in collectivist and individualistic cultures.
With her expertise and innovative contributions, Orji has made significant strides in the field of computer science and human-computer interaction. Her dedication to empowering women in education and her commitment to fostering health and well-being through technology make her an influential figure in the field. Orji continues to inspire and motivate aspiring computer scientists, serving as a role model for women who aspire to make a difference in the world through their work.
Awards:
– Vanier scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
– Over 70 awards and recognitions from national and international organizations