Improving COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness and response through the downstream of multi-hazard early warning systems

Kinkini Hemachandra a researcher at the Global Disaster Resilience Centre (GDRC), School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield. Currently, she is working in several research projects funded by European Commission and the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI). The project called BRITAE (Building Resilience in Tropical Agro-Ecosystems) is one of the project funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union with the aim of developing joint curricula modules on building resilience in tropical agro ecosystem in Sri Lankan universities. The project SECRA (Strengthening University-Enterprise Collaboration for Resilient Communities in Asia) also funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union with the aim of to contribute to more resilient communities in Asia through institutionalized, systematic, monitored, innovative, and inclusive university–enterprise collaboration (UEC) in climate change action and disaster resilience. Further, Kinkini Hemachandra is also working with a project funded by UKRI on Integrating Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Into Disaster Risk Reduction to provide insights on several critical problems that need to be better understood to improve epidemic and pandemic preparedness in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Kinkini Hemachandra worked in another project funded by the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union called CABARET- Capacity Building in Asia for Resilience Education. The project extended for three years, 2017-2020. The project aimed in building capacities among higher education institutions in Asia (Region 6) strengthening research and innovation capacity for the development of societal resilience to disasters. In addition, she engaged in another European Union funded project called ESPREssO (Enhancing Synergies for Disaster Prevention in the European Union). All these projects gave her immense experience in terms of research and administrative skills working with international collaborative works. She had many opportunities to participate in international events, workshops, conferences and programmes across Europe and Asia.

Kinkini Hemachandra is a PhD candidate at the School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield. She is progressing at the last stage of her PhD under the supervision of Prof Dilanthi Amaratunga and Prof Richard Haigh. Her PhD focuses on developing a framework for enhancing women’s empowerment in disaster risk governance.

Before starting the PhD programme at the University of Huddersfield, Kinkini Hemachandra has completed two masters degrees; Master in Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore and the Masters in Management, at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. She had also completed a Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (CTHE) programme, at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Kinkini

Hemachandra is also a part finalist at the Institute of Chartered Accountant in Sri Lanka (ICASL).

Kinkini Hemachandra worked as a Senior Lecture at the Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce, University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka since 2002. She is a member of the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE). She received their research grant to conduct a study on examining voluntary environmental practices within the textile and apparel industry in Sri Lanka in 2012.