Dr Thilinika Wijesinghe ~ Educational Designer

As an Educational Designer at James Cook University's Academic Design and Development Team (a part of the Centre for Education and Enhancement) I bring over 15 years of diverse experience in education, international relations, marketing, and communications to my role. With a commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, my aim is to lead initiatives that contribute to educational innovation.

My academic journey includes earning a Ph.D. in Philosophy focusing on Education from Southern Cross University, where I conducted research on speculative drama's role in understanding children and young people's perspectives on climate change. Prior to this, I pursued a Master of Arts in International Relations from Colombo University, Sri Lanka, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Psychology, and English Literature from Bangalore University, India.

I have contributed to academic publications exploring topics such as youth digital media practices for climate justice and climate change education. Additionally, I have presented my research at esteemed conferences worldwide.

My work experience spans across academia and professional careers as a Research Associate, Project Manager, Student Exeprience Manager, Program Support Education Officer, and a Digital Media Expert.

I am currently based in JCU Nguma-bada campus (Cairns).

 

Interests

Research

• Education Technologies, Generative AI, Research Dissemination, Climate Change Education, and Sustainability

Teaching

• Education Philosophy, Creative Arts, and Environment and Sustainability,

Experience

• 2023 to 2024 - Educational Designer, James Cook University (Cairns, Australia)
• 2022 to 2023 - Program Support Education Officer (Community Action for a Multicultural Society Program - CAMS), Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (Gold Coast, Australia)
• 2021 to 2023 - Tutor in Education, Southern Cross University (Gold Coast, Australia)
• 2019 to 2023 - Research Associate, Southern Cross University (Gold Coast, Australia.)
• 2021 to 2022 - Student Experience Manager, Study Gold Coast (Gold Coast Australia)
• 2021 to 2022 - Project Manager, Southern Cross University (Gold Coast, Australia)
• 2021 to 2022 - Finacial Analyst, Woolworths Team Bank (Gold Coast, Australia)
• 2014 to 2018 - Digital Media Coordinator, Seylan Bank (Colombo, Sri Lanka)
• 2012 to 2014 - Teacher (Secondary), Lyceum International School (Wattala, Sri Lanka)
• 2008 to 2009 - Programmes and Operations Assistant, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

Research Disciplines

• Education policy, sociology and philosophy (3902)
• Education systems (3903)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Environmental policy, legislation and standards (1902)
• environmental policy, climate change and natural hazards (1999)

Memberships

• 2022 to 2024 - Member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• 2019 to 2024 - Member of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Rousell D, Wijesinghe T, Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles A and Osborn M (2023) Digital media, political affect, and a youth to come: rethinking climate change education through Deleuzian dramatisation. Educational Review, 75 (1). pp. 33-53
• Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles A, Brown S, Osborn M, Blom S, Brown A and Wijesinghe T (2020) Staying-with the traces: mapping-making posthuman and indigenist philosophy in environmental education research. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 36 (2). pp. 105-128

Book Chapters

• Rousell D, Wijesinghe T and Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles A (2023) General Ecology and Speculative Pedagogies: Youth Digital Media Practices for Climate Justice. In: Youth Created Media on the Climate Crisis: Hear Our Voices. Taylor & Francis, Abingdon, England, pp. 60-80