Anitha Menon

Prof. J. Anitha Menon is a Professor of Health Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Zambia and the Chairperson for University of Zambia Committee on HIV and AIDS. She is also the Founding President of the Psychology Association of Zambia. Prof. Menon holds PhD in Psychiatry/Health Psychology from University of Nottingham, UK. For more than 25 years she has been actively involved in various researches and service related projects pertaining to areas on public interest, her major research interest pertains to the issue of HIV and well-being and psychological well-being of adolescents, Neuropsychological Challenges of HIV, Sexual Harassment and Communication Skills of Health Practitioners. Her other research interests include: applying psychological principles in prevention and management of chronic illness with a special interest in enhancing quality of life of HIV positive adolescents; health related decision-making and adherence to treatment and stress management and yoga in enhancing physical and psychological well-being of adolescents. Prof Menon spearheaded the formulation of University of Zambia HIV and AIDS policy and as the Chairperson of University of Zambia HIV and AIDS response, is responsible for coordinating all HIV related service, programme and research at the University through the HIV and AIDS Response programme. She is actively involved in teaching and also supervises undergraduate, Masters and PhD student research. She has also been involved in various national and international research projects and has been the team leader for several including DFID funded Development for Higher Education (DelPHE) partnership and NORAD funded Norad Masters program (NOMA). Through the NOMA project she has successfully introduced a multidisciplinary Masters program in Clinical Neuropsychology as well as spearheaded research on the neuropsychological effects of HIV in Zambia. She is the Editorial board member of the Journal of African Social Research and Zambian Papers. She also serves as reviewer for various national and international scientific journals and has more than 100 publications on various peer reviewed national and international journals. She was the recipient of the award for the Best Professor in Psychology from the World Education Congress in 2012 and the Change Fellowship from the International Congress of Psychology 2012. In February 2014, she received the ‘Women Leadership Achievement Award’ from Women’s Leadership Congress, the Labour Day Award from the University of Zambia for Innovation and Excellence in May 2014, Most Influential Women in Business and Government CEO Global award- Education and Training- Country winner October 2017, Most Influential Women in Business and Government CEO Global Regional award- Education and Training- Regional winner October 2017, the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievement in May 2018, and African Women Leaders on December 2019.