Thirsha de Silva

I started my PhD in the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature in October 2023. My doctoral research project is interdisciplinary in nature and explores the mental wellbeing of part-time and distance learning postgraduate researchers. While mental wellbeing of undergraduates and postgraduates have been of interest in the past decade, there is a paucity of research focusing on postgraduate researchers enrolled as part-time and distance learning students. Therefore, my aim is to explore the unique experiences of these student groups. 

Prior to starting my PhD, I worked as a Lecturer in Psychology on both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Sri Lanka teaching on a wide range of areas such as individual differences, health behaviours and social inequalities in health. My interest in distance learning stems from my contribution to the first distance learning BSc in Psychology at the Open University of Sri Lanka as a contributing author to the programme textbooks as well as a Visiting Academic.

Issues related to diversity and inclusion are of interest to me. I served as a Member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group of the British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences from November 2021 to November 2023 and I continue to be interested in issues related to diversity and inclusion in society. Therefore my research interests include inclusive education, social inequalities and its impact on our wellbeing and inclusive practices in sport and physical activity.