Nigerian-born computer scientist Dr. Rita Orji has been named a Fellow of the International Science Council (ISC), earning one of the organisation’s highest distinctions for individual scientists and adding another international milestone to a career dedicated to making technology work for people.
Her research spans artificial intelligence, digital health, human behaviour and the responsible use of technology.
At Dalhousie University in Canada, she has built an internationally connected research enterprise with collaborations across five continents and a portfolio of projects worth $45 million. Her work has also reached beyond academic research into international discussions on human rights, democracy and the governance of artificial intelligence.
The challenges she is tackling are increasingly relevant to everyday life. As misleading information spreads across digital platforms and AI systems become more sophisticated, Dr. Orji and her research team are developing an adaptive AI system to help immigrant communities in Canada recognise and resist online disinformation.
For newcomers navigating unfamiliar cultural and linguistic environments, distinguishing reliable information from false claims can be particularly difficult as Dr. Orji’s project seeks to strengthen their ability to make informed judgements, combining research into human behaviour with technology designed around the needs of its users.
“We have invested in training people to have enough skill to not fall prey to this, to distinguish between real and fake,” she explained. “When you migrate to a new country, because of culture and language barriers and other differences, you might not be able to tell real or fake apart.”
The project reflects a question that has increasingly shaped her career: how can technological innovation advance without leaving people vulnerable to the systems intended to serve them?
Dr. Orji’s earlier research explored ways to encourage positive behavioural change through digital health interventions, including mobile applications, games and other interactive tools. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, her work has expanded towards the responsible design of technologies that respect human needs, preserve individual agency and account for the potential consequences of automated systems.
“We all know that AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace,” she said. “The question is no longer just what can AI do, right? But we're now asking what should AI do? Who benefits? Who might be harmed? How do we ensure that people remain in control?”
These concerns have also informed her contribution to global science-policy discussions. Dr. Orji chaired a working group on human rights, information and democracy for the United Nations’ Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, helping bring research evidence into conversations about how artificial intelligence should be developed and governed.
Her ability to connect scientific inquiry with practical and societal concerns has been accompanied by substantial work in research leadership. At Dalhousie, she established a research laboratory supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and developed collaborations with researchers and institutions around the world. Her work has generated an extensive portfolio of projects and created opportunities for researchers from different backgrounds to contribute to shared scientific goals.
Behind that international career is an experience that continues to shape her understanding of science.
Dr. Orji grew up in a small community where access to science and technology was limited. That early experience gave personal meaning to the principle that scientific knowledge should not be reserved for those with the greatest resources or opportunities.
“I grew up in a small community in Nigeria where access to science and technology was very limited. So, the idea that science should serve everyone, not just the privileged few, is deeply personal to me,” she said.
Dr. Orji has mentored about 200 students and researchers from more than 20 countries. Many have progressed to academic positions across North America, the United Kingdom, Africa and the Middle East, extending the reach of the research and training they received.
“Seeing these trainees develop confidence, complete their degrees and go on to lead their own research group is an incredibly fulfilling moment and feeling for me,” she said.
Her appointment as an ISC Fellow followed a joint nomination by the African Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada's College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The nomination reflects the international character of her work and its connections across scientific communities in the Global North and Global South.
The Fellowship recognises scientists for their contributions to advancing science and strengthening its role in addressing global challenges.
Dr. Orji was selected from candidates representing nearly 30 countries, placing her among an international group recognised for scientific leadership and cooperation.
This recognition is both an acknowledgement of work already accomplished by Dr. Orji and an obligation to continue contributing to science that makes a difference beyond academic institutions.
“For me, this recognition is both an honour and a responsibility,” she said. “It affirms the kind of science we are doing at Dalhousie. Research that is rigorous, internationally relevant and committed to improving lives and society at large.”
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape access to information and influence decisions, the questions surrounding its responsible use will demand sustained attention from researchers, policymakers and the public and Dr. Orji sees this as a defining challenge for the scientific community.
“This will be one of the defining research challenges of our time,” she said. “I am proud that me and my lab are contributing to that global challenge here from Dalhousie.”
The International Science Council Fellowship recognises not only Dr. Orji’s scientific achievements but also the conviction that has guided her work from the beginning. She believes that science should serve humanity, regardless of background or circumstance. From her early experiences in Nigeria to her contributions to global debates on artificial intelligence, she has carried that belief into research that seeks to make technology more responsible, inclusive and beneficial to society.
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