Thinklab

Envisioning Digital Futures

Devindi Geekiyanage

Devindi Geekianage

Lecturer / Researcher
d.geekiyanage@salford.ac.uk

Biography

Dr Devindi Geekiyanage holds the position of Lecturer in Quantity Surveying at the School of Science, Engineering & Environment. Her teaching interests encompass Construction Economics, Value Management, Procurement, and Research Methods. She holds a PhD in Disaster Management, affiliated with the ThinkLab, and her research focus lies in fostering community engagement to facilitate risk-sensitive and equitable urban development. Devindi has actively participated in numerous research projects. Currently, she is engaged in the ENSEMBLE project (https://www.ensemble-photovoice.science), titled ‘Improving Resilience and Social-cohesion through Transformed Communities and Built Spaces,’ funded by NFRF and SSHRC; the TRANSCEND project (https://transcend-project.org.uk), ‘Technology Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration for Supporting Risk-Sensitive Sustainable Urban Development,’ funded by GCRF and ESRC in the UK; and the Kalutara Living Lab project in collaboration with the ThinkLab. Devindi is passionate about investigating Anticipatory Actions for Climate Change, Civic Engagement 3.0: Inclusive-cities, Equitable resilience, Circular economy, and Construction Cost and Carbon modelling. Currently, she leads the PGR development and networking group for Climate Change and Sustainability. She is dedicated to publishing research through academic and industry collaborations, particularly employing grounded, participatory, and inclusive research approaches. Before joining Salford, she served as a Lecturer and a Research Assistant at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka.

For more details: https://salford-repository.worktribe.com/person/1177932/devindi-geekiyanage

Research Interests (current and previous)

  • Co-I for the ENSEMBLE project, ‘Improving Resilience and Social-cohesion through Transformed Communities and Built Spaces’, funded by NFRF and SSHRC (2023-2025). https://www.ensemble-photovoice.science
  • Kalutara Living Lab project in collaboration with ThinkLab and the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) in Sri Lanka.
  • Researcher for the TRANSCEND project, ‘Technology Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration for Supporting Risk-Sensitive Sustainable Urban Development,’ funded by GCRF and ESRC in the UK (2019-2023). https://transcend-project.org.uk
  • Researcher for the ‘Host Community Involvement for Disaster-Induced Resettlements,’ an international collaborative research project between the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, and the University of Salford, UK (2018).
  • Researcher for the ‘Effective Labour Management Towards Productivity Gain Through Developing Relationship Between Local and Foreign Workforce’, an international collaborative research project between the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, and the Deakin University, Australia (2019).
  • Research Assistant for the project titled ‘A Model for Forecasting The Running Costs of Commercial Buildings’, funded by the Senate Research Committee at the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (2017- 2019).

Qualifications and Memberships

  • PhD in Disaster Management, University of Salford, UK.
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Construction and Project Management, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
  • BSc (Hons.) in Facilities Management (First Class), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
  • Associate Member of Institute of Facilities Management Sri Lanka (AMIFMSL).

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal publications

  • Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2023). Modelling interrelationships of the factors impeding community engagement in risk-sensitive urban planning: Evidence from Sri Lanka. Sustainability, 15(20), 14662. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014662
  • Periyannan, E.,Ramachandra, T., Geekiyanage, D. (2023). Assessment of costs and benefits of green retrofit technologies: Case study of hotel buildings in Sri Lanka. Journal of Building Engineering, 78, 107631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.107631
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2021). Running costs indices for commercial buildings using the hedonic price imputation approach: a case of Sri Lanka. Construction Management and Economics, 39(8), 704-721. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2021.1950790
  • Amarasinghe, I. A., Soorige, D., & Geekiyanage, D. (2021). Comparative study on life cycle assessment of buildings in developed countries and Sri Lanka. Built Environment Project and Asset Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-10-2019-0090
  • Geekiyanage, D., Keraminiyage, K., Fernando, T., & Jayawickrama, T. (2021). Factors influencing acceptance or rejection regarding being the host community for post-disaster resettlements in developing countries. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 53, 101973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101973
  • Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2021). Mapping participatory methods in the urban development process: a systematic review and case-based evidence analysis. Sustainability, 13(16), 8992. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168992
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2020). Nexus between running costs and building characteristics of commercial buildings: hedonic regression modelling. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 10(3), 389-406.https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-12-2018-0156
  • Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2020). Assessing the state of the art in community engagement for participatory decision-making in disaster risk-sensitive urban development. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 51(101847). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.101847
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2018). A model for estimating cooling energy demand at early design stage of condominiums. Journal of Building Engineering, 17, 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2018.01.011

Publications in refereed conference proceedings

  • Mathanky, S., Ramachandra, T., Geekiyanage, D. (2024) A Simplified Guide Towards Incentivising Embodied Carbon Assessment: A Case of High-Rise Residential Building. In: Sandanayake, Y.G., Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S., Ramachandra, T. and Ranadewa, K.A.T.O. (eds). Proceedings of the 12th World Construction Symposium, 09-10 August 2024, Sri Lanka. (Under review)
  • Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2023) Enablers of Community-Inclusive Decision-Making for Risk-Sensitive Urban Planning: A TISM and MICMAC Analysis. In A. Tutesigensi, & C. J. Neilson (Eds), Proceedings of the 39th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference, Leads, UK, 4-6 September 2023, 185-194.
  • Geekiyanage, D. (2023).A Holistic Approach for Promoting Community Engagement in The Decision-Making of Risk-Sensitive Urban Planning, In Three Minute Thesis Competition at the Salford Postgraduate Annual Research Conference (SPARC), Salford, UK, 5-6 July 2023, 116. (Received the Peoples’ Choice Award)
  • Geekiyanage, D., Fernando, T., & Keraminiyage, K. (2022). An A-Priori Framework for Community Transformation Through Inclusive Risk-Sensitive Urban Development. In Perera, S. and Hardie, M. (Eds), Proceedings of the 45th Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) Conference, Sydney, Australia, 23-25 November 2022, 619-629.
  • Madushika, U. G. D., Ramachandra, T., & Geekiyanage, D. (2022). Economic Performance of Green Walls: A Systematic Review. In Sandanayake, Y.G., Gunatilake, S. and Waidyasekara, K.G.A.S. (eds). Proceedings of the 10th World Construction Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 24-26 June 2022, 379- 391. (Received the Highly Commended Paper Award of Built Environment Project and Asset Management [BEPAM] Journal, Emerald Publishing Limited)
  • Azeem, A.H.A., Mallawarachi, H., & Geekiyanage, D. (2019). Building Organisational Capacities for Effective E-Waste Management: A Conceptual Framework. In Sandanayake, Y.G., Gunatilake, S. and Waidyasekara, A. (eds). Proceedings of the 8th World Construction Symposium, Colombo,
    Sri Lanka, 8-10 November 2019, 158-167.
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2018). Estimating the Running Costs of Commercial Buildings: Regression vs. Artificial Neural Network. In Proceeding of the 10th International Structural Engineering and Construction (ISEC) Conference, Chicago, USA: ISEC.
  • Nissanka, S., Ramachandra, T., & Geekiyanage, D. (2018). Employment Challenges in Mega Construction Projects in Sri Lanka. In K. Do, M. Sutrisna, E. Jonescu, & A. Zaman (Eds), Proceedings of the 42nd Australasian Universities Building Education Association (AUBEA) Conference (pp. 360-369).Curtin, Singapore: Curtin University.
  • Ginigaddara, B., Ramachandra, T., & Geekiyanage, D. (2018). Strategies for Enhancing Research and Development Activities in the Sri Lankan Construction industry. In Proceeding of
    the 11th International Research Conference of Sir John Kotelawala Defense University Sri Lanka,     Rathmalana, Sri Lanka: Sir John Kotelawala Defense University Sri Lanka. (Received the Best Oral Presenter Award)
  • Chandrasiri, A. P., & Geekiyanage, D. (2018). Real-Time Object Detection System for Building Energy Conservation: An IP Camera Based System. In C. Gorse, & C. J. Neilson, (Eds), Proceeding of the 34th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference (pp. 577-586). Belfast, UK: ARCOM. (Received the Frontiers Award for Best Technical Paper)
  • Geekiyanage, D., Ramachandra, T., & Thurairajah, N. (2018). A Model for Early-Stage Estimation of Operational Expenses (OPEX) in Commercial Buildings. In C. Gorse, & C. J. Neilson, (Eds), Proceeding of the 34th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference
    (pp. 627-636). Belfast, UK: ARCOM.
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2018). Significant Factors Influencing Operations and Maintenance Costs (OPEX) in Commercial Buildings. In Y.G. Sandanayake, S. Gunatilake, & K.G.A.S. Waidyasekara (Eds), Proceeding of the 7th World Construction Symposium, Built Asset Sustainability: Rethinking Design, Construction and Operations (pp. 477-487). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) Sri Lanka. (Received the Best Paper Award of Built Environment Project and Asset Management [BEPAM] Journal, Emerald Publishing Limited)
  • Geekiyanage, D., & Ramachandra, T. (2017). A Correlation Analysis of Factors Influencing Cooling Energy Demand of Condominiums in Sri Lanka. In Proceedings of the National Energy Symposium (pp. 126-137). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ministry of Power and Energy Sri Lanka and Sustainable Energy Authority Sri Lanka. (Received the Best Paper Award: Third Place with a cash prize of 50,000 LKR)
  • Geekiyanage, D., Ramachandra, T., & Rotimi, J. O. B. (2017). A Morphology-Based Model for Forecasting Cooling Energy Demand of Condominium Buildings in Sri Lanka. In P. W. Chan, & C. J. Neilson (Eds), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference (pp. 289-298). Cambridge, UK: ARCOM.
  • Ramachandra, T., Geekiyanage, D., & Perera, S. L. (2017). A Study on the Application of Economies of Scale in the Construction Industry: The Sri Lankan Perspective. In Y.G. Sandanayake, & S. Gunatilake (Eds), Proceedings of the 6th World Construction Symposium, What’s New and What’s Next in the Built Environment Sustainability Agenda? (pp. 477-487). Colombo, Sri Lanka: Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) Sri Lanka. (Received the Best Presenter Award of CIOB Sri Lanka)

Book Chapters

  • Geekiyanage, D., & Sadabad M. M. (2024). Exploring the Synergies and Challenges for Integrating Building Information Modelling with Modern Methods of Construction for the UK Construction Industry. In T. Ramachandra, R. Palliyaguru, & G. Karunasena (Eds.), Concepts, Policies and Technology for Sustainable Buildings. Springer Nature. (Accepted with minor comments)

Awards

  • Peoples’ Choice Award – 3MT Thesis Competitions 2023 for the presentation entitled “A Holistic Approach for Fostering Community Engagement in the Decision-making of Risk-Sensitive Urban Planning and Development” held by the University of Salford, UK.
  • Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM) Highly Commended Paper Award for the paper titled “Economic performance of green walls: A systematic review” awarded by Emerald Publishing Limited in the 10th World Construction Symposium, 2022 in Sri Lanka.
  • Best Research Award: Third Place for the research presentation entitled “Holistic Approach for Transformative and Risk-Sensitive Urban Development: A Conceptual Framework.” jointly awarded by the High Commission of Sri Lanka (SLHC) in the UK and the Association of Professional Sri Lankans (APSL) in the UK at the Research Symposium 2021.
  • CIB Student Chapters Funding Award For The Best Collaborative Proposal For 2021 for the project entitled “Build Back Better: Establishing Inclusive Conversations on post-COVID Construction Industry Collaboration Models” awarded by the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). Contributing universities are the University of Salford, UK and Politecnico di Milano, Italy.
  • Full scholarship to pursue a PhD in Disaster Management at ThinkLab, University of Salford.
  • Built Environment Project and Asset Management (BEPAM) Best Paper Award for the paper titled “Significant Factors Influencing the Operational and Maintenance (O&M) Costs of Commercial Buildings” awarded by Emerald Publishing Limited in the 7th World Construction Symposium, 2018 in Sri Lanka.
  • Frontiers Award for Best Technical Paper for the paper titled “Real-Time Object Detection System for Building Energy Conservation: An IP Camera Based System” awarded at the 34th Annual Association of Researchers in Construction Management (ARCOM) Conference, 2018 in Belfast, UK.
  • Best Paper Award: Third Place for the paper titled “A Correlation Analysis of Factors Influencing Cooling Energy Demand of Condominiums in Sri Lanka” awarded by The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority in the National Energy Symposium, 2017 in Sri Lanka.
  • Best Presentation Award for the paper titled “A Study on the Application of Economies of Scale in the Construction Industry: The Sri Lankan Perspective” awarded by Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) in the 6th World Construction Symposium, 2017 in Sri Lanka.
  • Best Oral Presentation Award for the paper titled “Strategies for Enhancing Research and Development Activities in the Sri Lankan Construction Industry” awarded at the 11th International Research Conference of Sir John Kotelawala Defense University Sri Lanka, 2018 in Sri Lanka.