About Dr. Eugene Ohu

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Research Focus

I am passionate about psychology, computer technologies and the cognitive, affective & behavioural consequences of humans interfacing with these technologies. Digital Information and Comm Techs drive almost all aspects of life: work, social relationships, communication, leisure, learning and health.

My research in human-computer interactions (HCI) aims to apply positive psychology and technology to achieving human flourishing, wellbeing and productivity across all life domains. As Director and Principal Investigator at the Virtual Human Computer Interaction (VHCI) Lab at Lagos Business School, I guide initiatives exploring how to effectively employ immersive technologies in positive behaviour modification, learning, communication, leisure, physical and mental health.

One key aspect of my research explores virtues and character as the foundation for human flourishing and productivity. I am currently exploring the use of Virtual Reality for learning and perspective-taking towards eliciting greater empathy and compassion in people, a novel approach with significant potential for social impact. I am also exploring the use of immersive technologies and machine learning models to predict and manage mental health conditions in and outside clinical settings, aiming to develop innovative, accessible solutions.

My HCI research covers the following areas:

• Exploring how technology can be used to teach virtues and character strengths.
• Understanding the cognitive aspects of human factors (and the wellbeing implications) surrounding the use of these technologies, including cognitive overload reduction.
• Effective deployment of immersive digital technologies in mental health interventions and treatments.
• Harnessing computer and social media "big data" to obtain insights for improving healthy technology use, wellbeing, and domain-specific outcomes.
• Improving work-life balance in a computer-mediated workplace and navigating multiple roles across work and non-work domains.

Leadership & Professional Contributions

Beyond research, I hold key leadership roles within academia and industry. At Lagos Business School, I serve as the Founder and Director of the Virtual Human Computer Interaction (VHCI) Lab, guiding its research initiatives. The lab's work was acknowledged by Bill Gates during the Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum in June 2023. I was the pioneer Academic Director of the M.Sc in Management (MiM) programme, which I conceptualised and developed, and previously served as Head of Department, Organizational Behaviour / Human Resource Management (2015–2020).

During my 2025 sabbatical, I am serving as a Visiting Research Scholar at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. While there, I designed a new course, "Psychology of Digital Agency: Power and Resistance in the Attention Economy," synthesising a decade of research on the cognitive, affective, and behavioural consequences of digital technology use.

My research leadership extends to serving as Principal Investigator for major grants, including support from Meta Platforms, Inc. (2022 - 2024) and the Templeton World Charity Foundation (2020 - 2025), as well as the J-PAL Jobs and Opportunity Initiative (2022 - 2025), driving projects with considerable social impact.

Nationally, I contribute to Nigeria's digital infrastructure through my role as the elected Financial Secretary on the 8th Executive Board of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) (April 2023 - Present). This follows my earlier contribution as a founding member of NiRA's first Technical Committee, where I played a key role in establishing the initial technical infrastructure for locally hosting Nigeria's .ng domain.

In addition to academic work, I founded Netorb Media, a venture recognized three times (2017, 2018, 2019) with NiRA .ng awards. I have also translated behavioural science research into practical technology products, developing and launching iOS and MacOS applications including fflow (a screen-time management app incorporating behavioural intervention through innovative "Mirror Mode" technology) and Reedio (a comprehensive PDF toolkit).

I serve as an Entrepreneurship Mentor for the Tony Elumelu Foundation programme, supporting emerging entrepreneurs across Africa, and I founded and lead the "AI and You" community, a technical and philosophical exploration group examining human-AI relationships with members from several African countries.

Awards, Distinctions & Memberships

My research has been recognized with an APA Editor's Choice Award (October 2023) for the article "Humane orientation, work-family conflict, and positive spillover across cultures" published in the Journal of Applied Psychology.

I serve as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Medical Extended Reality (JMXR). I have been recognized among the top 25 reviewers since inception at Technology, Mind and Behavior (APA) and regularly review for leading journals and conferences in behavioural science and technology.

I am an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) (where I also serve as an International Ambassador), and the Metaverse Standards Forum. I have served as an Affiliate Senior Lecturer at Maasai Mara University, Kenya (2022–2024).

My work has been featured in international media including the BBC World Service (The Compass: Why We Play), BBC Worklife, BusinessDay Nigeria, Channels Television, and the Africa XR Report. See the Media page for a fuller list of interviews and features.

Teaching & Mentorship

Alongside research and leadership, I am deeply committed to teaching and mentorship. My approach emphasizes bridging psychological theory with practical application, particularly using innovative technologies like virtual reality to create immersive and impactful learning experiences. I strive to foster critical thinking and ethical considerations within the MBA and Executive Education programmes at Lagos Business School, aiming to equip students to navigate complex organizational challenges effectively.

Contact

I can be reached at the following email addresses:

• eohu [at] lbs.edu.ng
• ohu005 [at] gannon.edu

Many thanks to my employer (@LBSNigeria) who helped me set up our first lab & to the Templeton World Charity Foundation (@templetonworld) who literally took our VR lab to the skies! And thanks too to #Meta!