Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Madhavee Mahinkanda

What are you currently working on or worked on before?

I’m currently focusing on developing a mechanism that supports the building design process in achieving design solutions that lead to construction waste minimization with the aid of Circular Economic aspects.

During the period I was in Sri Lanka, I was able to research the theory-practice gap in the Value Management concept in the Sri Lankan construction industry and come up with solutions to populate the Value Management concept within the local construction industry as a strategy of adding value to projects. I am currently attached to the University of South Australia.

What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?

Over the last century, economic and social progress has led to environmental degradation and the depletion of scarce resources. Therefore, one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals has been established to achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by 2030.

Global commitment to achieve these goals is reflected in various documents which rigorously address the reduction of waste through innovative solutions and newly adapted responses to control waste generation and ways to manage scarce resources more efficiently. Internationally, the theme of “Resources” has been identified as one of the research priorities in today's context.

With that, the construction industry is considered a key contributor to these aims as it is responsible for the consumption of nearly 40% of natural resources and 29.6% of the total waste generated in countries like Australia. Therefore, my intention towards finding solutions for these matters encourages me to pursue my higher studies related with minimizing construction waste as earlier as possible within the project life cycle.

Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?

The thing that I always believe is, starting by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible; and suddenly I’m doing the impossible. So, starting by doing what is necessary inspires me to work towards achieving what I need.

You can read up all about my work and publications here: link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4.

What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?

Create the research lifestyle that makes you happy and doesn’t compare your journey to that of other researchers.

What motivated you to be a researcher?

I am motivated by being convinced that knowledge-driven economies are relatively sustainable. There is nothing else that can be a big achievement for me other than contributing to the pool of knowledge on the basis of which policies can be designed and changes can happen.

According to your opinion, what are the changes that the Sri Lankan education system needs to do, in order to meet the requirement of the international industry and academia?

• Improving teaching standards and making a change to the examination-based education culture.
• Making students more familiar with practical aspects along with the theories.
• Providing more opportunities for students to interact with each other locally and internationally.