Persuasive Computing Lab

Persuasive Computing Lab Our primary focus is on designing Persuasive and Behaviour Change Systems.

We are particularly interested in investigating user-centred approaches for designing interactive technologies to tackle real-life problems in various domains. At the Persuasive Computing Lab in the Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Canada, our primary focus is on designing Persuasive and Behaviour Change Systems. We are particularly interested in investigating user-centred approaches to designing interactive technologies to assist people for actions and causes that are beneficial for them and their communities as well as how technologies can be designed for the under-served populations. We apply our research to tackle real-life problems in various domains including promoting mental health, discouraging risky behaviour, promoting safety and security, environmental sustainability, adaptive and intelligent systems for social and community good. As a team, we welcome everyone who is motivated to work in this area, has great ideas, and the urge to grow.

Check out our latest publication with Grace Ataguba (PhD), Gerry Chan, Luv Patel, Kuldeep Gajera, Oladapo Oyebode, PhD a...
09/23/2026

Check out our latest publication with Grace Ataguba (PhD), Gerry Chan, Luv Patel, Kuldeep Gajera, Oladapo Oyebode, PhD and Prof. Rita Orji, PhD

This paper presents GestRunner, a gesture-controlled serious game that integrates upper-body micro-movements into gameplay using real-time hand tracking. The game maps simple gesture patterns to seated exercises, including arm circles, overhead presses, push-like motions, and dynamic stretching. The proposed framework integrates light-intensity upper-body activity into sedentary digital environments without disrupting workflow. Future work will evaluate the feasibility of these exercise mappings within workstation constraints.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/d82zxWmz
Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Pratyasha Bhattacharya, Gerry Chan and Prof. Rita Orji, PhDThis paper presents Sex...
09/17/2026

Check out our latest publication with Pratyasha Bhattacharya, Gerry Chan and Prof. Rita Orji, PhD

This paper presents Sex-Educated, a theory-driven persuasive mobile health application designed to promote sexual health awareness and informed decision-making among Indians. Through iterative prototyping, feedback from 57 participants, and an in-the-wild study with 46 participants, we observed positive changes in sexual health knowledge and behavioral antecedents related to risky sexual behaviors. The findings provide practical design recommendations for developing culturally sensitive, engaging, and persuasive digital health interventions for stigmatized and underserved communities.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/e3HYHCZv

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Call for participationDo you speak, understand, and write Tamil well? Please participate in our study and contribute to ...
09/14/2026

Call for participation

Do you speak, understand, and write Tamil well? Please participate in our study and contribute to developing misinformation technologies!!! Send an email to Grace Ataguba (PhD) Ataguba: [email protected]

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Call for participationDo you speak, understand, and write Bangla well? Please participate in our study and contribute to...
09/14/2026

Call for participation

Do you speak, understand, and write Bangla well? Please participate in our study and contribute to developing misinformation technologies!!! Send an email to Grace Ataguba (PhD) Ataguba: [email protected]

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Mona Alhasani & Prof. Rita Orji, PhD This paper examines how HEXAD gamification us...
09/11/2026

Check out our latest publication with Mona Alhasani & Prof. Rita Orji, PhD

This paper examines how HEXAD gamification user types can inform the design of personalized persuasive strategies in gamified stress management applications, addressing the limitations of one-size-fits-all approaches. We identified and evaluated ten evidence-based persuasive strategies through a three-stage investigation involving systematic review, prototype development, and a large-scale study with 517 participants. Our findings showed that all ten strategies were effective, with goal setting, self-monitoring, and rewards emerging as the most persuasive, while preferences varied across HEXAD user types. These insights provide actionable design guidelines for moving beyond generic designs towards user-centred, personalized persuasive systems in gamified mental health interventions.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/d6FScwuv

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Research Participants Needed: AI Transparency and Digital TrustNancy Eke-Agu AIGP, CAITL, PMI-RMP, PMP, a Master of Digi...
09/10/2026

Research Participants Needed: AI Transparency and Digital Trust

Nancy Eke-Agu AIGP, CAITL, PMI-RMP, PMP, a Master of Digital Innovation student at Dalhousie University, is conducting a research study exploring how transparency in AI systems shapes people’s trust, understanding, and confidence in AI-enabled technologies.
You may be eligible if you are 18 years or older, can read and respond in English, and have familiarity with or experience using AI-enabled technologies.

Participation involves an anonymous online questionnaire taking approximately 10–15 minutes. Participants may also choose to indicate interest in a voluntary follow-up interview and may optionally enter a random draw for one of five $15 Amazon gift cards.
Take part: https://lnkd.in/g4JvpEgY
Participation is voluntary.

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Grace Ataguba (PhD), Oladapo Oyebode, PhD, Alaa Alslaity, Ph.D., George Frempong, ...
09/02/2026

Check out our latest publication with Grace Ataguba (PhD), Oladapo Oyebode, PhD, Alaa Alslaity, Ph.D., George Frempong, Masud Imran & Prof. Rita Orji, PhD

This paper explores how social media discussions can inform the development of human-centered GenAI systems for personalized dietary guidance, addressing the limited understanding of how GenAI interacts with social and behavioral patterns. We analyzed 10,219 user-generated contents across Reddit, YouTube, and Bluesky to examine social interaction patterns, behavioral trends, and user experiences with GenAI-generated nutritional content. Based on these insights, we developed conceptual frameworks integrating GenAI with human experts and social media engagement, with a user study showing positive effects on dietary behavior intentions, attitudes, and outcome expectancy, alongside moderate trust in GenAI.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/dA3mYEkR

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Tushant Kaura, Edward Addo Jr., Gladwin Irudayaraj, Josteve Adekanbi, Prof. Rita O...
08/26/2026

Check out our latest publication with Tushant Kaura, Edward Addo Jr., Gladwin Irudayaraj, Josteve Adekanbi, Prof. Rita Orji, PhD & Oladapo Oyebode, PhD

This paper presents NutriPal, a novel persuasive system that combines wearable eye-tracking and a large language model to promote healthy eating with minimal human effort. By passively detecting food items through eye gaze and using GPT-5 to estimate nutritional values, NutriPal provides real-time persuasive feedback through an emoji-based avatar. Results from 21 participants show that the system was perceived as persuasive and engaging, with high motivation and low pressure. This work offers practical design recommendations for future digital health systems that support healthy eating through minimal-effort interactions and persuasive interventions.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/eCiqymej

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Josteve Adekanbi, Prof. Rita Orji, PhD & Oladapo Oyebode, PhD This paper presents ...
08/20/2026

Check out our latest publication with Josteve Adekanbi, Prof. Rita Orji, PhD & Oladapo Oyebode, PhD

This paper presents TeleTouch, a mixed-reality and haptic-based telehealth system designed to improve remote assessment of musculoskeletal torso pain. By combining video consultation, bidirectional haptic vests, a shared 3D torso model, and AI-generated clinical summaries, TeleTouch enables patients and clinicians to experience synchronized tactile feedback during remote consultations. Results from 15 participants show that the system was perceived as useful and persuasive, with perceived usefulness emerging as the strongest driver of adoption intention. This work offers key design recommendations for future research and development of immersive, touch-enabled, and AI-supported telehealth.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gMPR35tC

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

Check out our latest publication with Chinenye O-Okafor, MCSc, Grace Ataguba (PhD), Gerry Chan & Prof. Rita Orji, PhD Th...
08/13/2026

Check out our latest publication with Chinenye O-Okafor, MCSc, Grace Ataguba (PhD), Gerry Chan & Prof. Rita Orji, PhD

This paper presents PostMom, an AI-driven mHealth prototype designed to improve Nigerian mothers’ knowledge and support during postnatal care. By combining persuasive strategies with culturally relevant content, PostMom addresses common myths and provides credible and emotionally supportive information. Results from 36 Nigerian mothers show that the prototype was perceived as usable and persuasive. This work demonstrates how AI and culturally tailored persuasive design can support more inclusive maternal health applications.

You can read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/gYUzH5Xm

Dalhousie University, Dalhousie Computer Science

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