Professor Anitha Menon serves as the Head of Psychology at Curtin University, Dubai. She is a renowned Health Psychologist with more than 30 years of international experience in higher education, research, clinical practice, and academic leadership. She holds a PhD in Psychiatry and Health Psychology from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, and is widely acknowledged for her significant contributions to research, teaching, and public service in psychology and mental health.
The core of Professor Menon’s academic contributions lies in promoting psychological wellbeing across diverse populations, with particular emphasis on youth mental health, gender-based violence, organisational wellbeing, and the mental health of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Her broader research interests include the application of psychological principles to the prevention and management of chronic illnesses, with particular focus on improving patients’ quality of life, alongside health-related decision-making, treatment adherence, and the role of stress management and yoga in supporting adolescent physical and psychological well-being.
Professor Menon has led and contributed to numerous national and international research initiatives, serving as a principal investigator and team leader on projects supported by leading international organizations, including the UK Department for International Development (DFID), through the Development Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE), the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through the Master’s Program (NOMA), and projects supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), among others. She also spearheaded the introduction of a multidisciplinary Master’s program in Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Zambia, the first of its kind in the region.
As a committed educator, Professor Menon has mentored undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students throughout her career. She is committed to nurturing future researchers and practitioners while advancing excellence in teaching, curriculum development, and faculty development across higher education institutions.
She serves on the editorial boards of leading journals, including Health and Behaviour, the Journal of African Social Research, and the Journal of Psychology in Africa, and her academic portfolio comprises over 250 publications and conference presentations.
Professor Menon’s outstanding contributions to research, education, and community engagement have been recognised through numerous prestigious national and international awards. These include the Labor Day Award for Innovation and Excellence from the Government of Zambia, the UK Alumni Award for Professional Achievement, Best Professor in Psychology from the World Education Congress, a Change Fellowship from the International Congress of Psychology, the Women’s Leadership Achievement Award from the Women’s Leadership Congress, Country and Regional Winner honors in the Most Influential Women in Business and Government CEO Global Awards (Education and Training category), the Gunvald Award for Feminist Research and Service from the International Council of Psychology.
Professor Menon has held various visiting professorships at the American University of Sharjah and the Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai and previously served as Professor of Psychology at the University of Zambia. Her distinguished career spans academia, industry, and clinical practice, with lasting contributions to research funding, faculty development, and the advancement of the field of psychology.