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. I am also the current Academic Director for the M.Sc in Management (MiM) programme and previously served as Head of Department, Organizational Behaviour / Human Resource Management (2015–2020). Additionally, throughout 2025, I am serving as a Visiting Research Scholar at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.

My research leadership extends to serving as Principal Investigator for major grants, including significant funding 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.

My commitment to academic excellence extends to judging the work of others. I serve as an External Examiner for the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (University of the West Indies) and sit on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Medical Extended Reality (JMXR). I also regularly contribute as a peer reviewer for leading journals such as Technology Mind and Behaviour (APA) and the Journal of Business Ethics, as well as for conferences like SIOP and Technology Mind and Society (APA).

I am an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), and the Metaverse Standards Forum.

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!