Dr. Gunendra Dissanayake is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. She, began her academic training at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka and earned the Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) degree in 1999, and directly joined academia as an Assistant Lecturer in Psychology in the same year. In 2008, she earned her M.Phil in Psychology from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo. That same year, she also obtained a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the Open University, Sri Lanka, enhancing her skills in both research and teaching methodologies. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to embark on an enriching academic journey as an Erasmus Mundus scholar. This prestigious opportunity allowed her to pursue a split-PhD program, enrolling at the University of Deusto, Spain, and the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. With dedication and perseverance, she successfully completed her PhD in 2016, marking a significant milestone in her academic career. She is also a recipient of a number of other prestigious scholarships and fellowships including the Commonwealth Scholarship (awarded by the Indian Council for Cultural Relationships (ICCR), and DAAD scholararship (awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service). Throughout her career, Dr. Dissanayake has demonstrated leadership and commitment to her field. From 2019 to 2022, she served as the Head of the Department of Psychology, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the department. Dr. Dissanayake's research interests span various domains within psychology, including child development, gender-based violence, trauma, coping mechanisms, and aging. Through her work, she seeks to contribute to the understanding of human behavior and well-being, with a focus on addressing pressing societal issues and promoting positive change.
