Meet Sri Lankan Researcher — Nilushka Perera
What are you currently working on or worked on before?
As a global behavioural health researcher, I am currently exploring the intersection between community development, digital health and perinatal mental health. I work with a UK based charity called Best Beginnings, where I work as an evaluation and impact researcher. My work revolves around analysing and interpreting public health data, outreach data and in-app analytics to inform evidence of impact and policy.
In Sri Lanka, I work mostly as a Public Health and MHPSS practitioner, where I work with different communities to advocate for equitable, accessible behavioural healthcare for all. I have worked on many communities, health, organisational and educational projects in Sri Lanka to bridge the gap between research and practice in communities.
What encouraged you to pursue your research topic?
The lack of behavioural health care in Sri Lanka. The narratives of the community are lost in the healthcare system increasing inequalities and inequities. The potential of using technology to bridge this gap is large and harnessing it in a way that gives people power and agency is my main goal.
What are the names of your current institutes?
Best Beginnings, University of West London
Where do you find your best inspiration for your work?
I get my inspiration from diverse grassroots communities. People’s stories and journeys from different countries and cultures inspire me and it drives me to incorporate their reflections in wider policies and guidelines.
Can you share with us some of your publications?
Yes, you can find them using below mentioned URLs.
https://gh.bmj.com/content/4/Suppl_10/e001415
https://sljpsyc.sljol.info/articles/abstract/10.4038/sljpsyc.v10i1.8193/
What’s one of your biggest personal achievements so far?
I was a recipient of a publication mentorship programme for young female researchers from AHPSR ( WHO) in 2018. I was a recipient of the Professor Richard Madeley Memorial Award for Excellence 2016 and the Developing Solutions Scholarship from the University of Nottingham (UK) in 2015. I was also Class Valedictorian in 2015, where I graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Missouri S&T.
All of this motivated me to co-found a community mental health initiative in Sri Lanka ( The Ohana Project) which advocates for mental health while creating a good network for mental health professionals on the island.
What lessons would you share with a budding researcher?
There are plenty of opportunities out there. Don’t hesitate to ask people to be your mentor because the right mentor can cultivate confidence in you that can help you strive higher and higher.
Being a researcher isn’t easy but neither is being a practitioner. Always keep in mind that we are all doing what we are doing to make the world a better place and pragmatism and challenging research practice is part and parcel of that.
What motivated you to be a researcher?
Curiosity and constant need to critically reflect on what is presented to all us on our daily lives.
If there is a chance, will you help build research in Sri Lanka?
Yes of course! That is why I chose to come and work in Sri Lanka
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?
Critical thinking incorporated from lower grades to cultivate curiosity and reflection. Opportunities to explore different research topics.
