July 2022
Ashani Savinda Ranathunga > Other Awards
OWSD recognised Dr Ashani Ranathunga for her innovative research in transforming industrial and agricultural waste into sustainable materials for geotechnical engineering. Her work promotes the “waste to wealth” concept by stabilising weak soils and rehabilitating degraded land using waste products like fly ash, calcium carbide residue, paddy husk ash, and corn cob ash. This contributes to the development of eco-friendly infrastructure and environmental restoration.
November 2020
Ashani Savinda Ranathunga > Other Awards
Dr Ashani Ranathunga received the prestigious Bright Spark Lecture Award from the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) in 2020, recognising her as one of the most promising young geotechnical engineers globally. Her award-winning research focuses on CO₂ sequestration in deep coal seams, enhanced methane recovery, and the use of industrial and agricultural waste for soil stabilisation and ground improvement. As part of this honour, she was invited to deliver a keynote lecture at the 20th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ICSMGE) in Sydney, where she showcased her innovative contributions to sustainable geotechnical engineering.
July 2018
Ashani Savinda Ranathunga > Other Awards
Dr. Ashani Ranathunga received the Best PhD Thesis Award from Monash University in recognition of her groundbreaking research on CO₂-enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) recovery. Her work demonstrated the potential of injecting carbon dioxide into deep, low-rank coal seams to improve methane extraction while simultaneously contributing to carbon sequestration. This dual benefit supports both clean energy production and climate mitigation. Her thesis also earned the Postgraduate Publication Award, highlighting the high impact and quality of her research contributions to the field of geo-energy and sustainable engineering.
October 2017
Ashani Savinda Ranathunga > Other Awards
Dr. Ashani Ranathunga received the Postgraduate Publication Award from Monash University in recognition of the outstanding quality and impact of her research publications during her PhD. Her work on CO₂-enhanced coal bed methane recovery made significant contributions to the field of geo-energy, demonstrating innovative approaches to clean energy production and carbon sequestration. The award highlights her commitment to academic excellence and her ability to produce high-impact research that addresses global sustainability challenges.
June 2013
Ashani Savinda Ranathunga > Other Awards
Dr. Ashani Ranathunga was awarded the Mallika De Mel Memorial Gold Award by the University of Ruhuna in 2013, sponsored by the Ronnie De Mel Foundation. This prestigious honour is presented to the student with the best overall performance in engineering. Graduating summa cum laude with a first-class degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Ranathunga demonstrated exceptional academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to advancing sustainable engineering practices from the very beginning of her career.
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Dr. Ashani Ranathunga

Membership since: 2022
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OWSD Programmes
July 2022 OWSD Award
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Awards
July 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women Scientists
November 2020 Bright Spark Lecture Award by ISSMGE
July 2018 Best PhD Thesis Award (Mollie Holman Medal Nominee), Monash University
October 2017 Best Postgraduate Publication Award, Monash University
June 2013 Mallika De Mel Memorial Gold Award by the University of Ruhuna

About me

Dr Ashani Ranathunga is an Assistant Professor at the University of Leeds, UK, specialising in sustainable geotechnical engineering and inclusive education. A recipient of the 2022 OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Award and listed in the 2023 Asian Scientist 100, her research focuses on CO₂ geo-sequestration, waste valorisation, and transformative learning. She is a passionate advocate for sustainability and equity in engineering, actively contributing to the university’s Curriculum Redefined initiative to reshape education.

Dr. Ashani Ranathunga is an Assistant Professor (Teaching & Scholarship) in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. Originally from Sri Lanka, she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Ruhuna in 2013. She went on to complete her PhD in Geotechnical Engineering at Monash University in Australia in 2017. Her doctoral research focused on carbon dioxide geo-sequestration and enhanced methane recovery in deep coal seams, work that earned her the Best PhD Thesis Award and the Postgraduate Publication Award from Monash University.

Dr. Ranathunga’s academic and professional pursuits are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in the fields of climate action, sustainable consumption, and inclusive education. Her research covers several vital areas, including geosequestration of CO₂, enhanced coalbed methane recovery, and the valorisation of industrial and agricultural waste for sustainable geotechnical applications. She is also a dedicated educator and advocate for inclusive and transformative learning in engineering, with a strong emphasis on equity, accessibility, and lifelong learning.

Her contributions to science and education have been widely recognised. In 2022, she received the OWSD–Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women Scientists in the Asia-Pacific region. She was also honoured with the Bright Spark Lecturer Award by the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) in 2020. She was named to the prestigious Asian Scientist 100 list in 2023, which celebrates the region’s most impactful researchers.

At the University of Leeds, Dr. Ranathunga serves as the School Academic Lead for Inclusive Pedagogies and plays a key role in the university’s “Curriculum Redefined” initiative. This programme aims to reshape higher education to be more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) and an active member of several professional organisations, including OWSD, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE, UK), the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL), the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), and the Women’s Engineering Society (WES).

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Other Memberships/Affiliations
Higher Education Academy
International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE)
British Geotechnical Association (BGA)
Women's Engineering Society (WES)
Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL)

Degrees:

2017
Doctorate
Engineering sciences
2013
Undergraduate
Engineering sciences

Publications resulting from Research
Check the list of publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=kwrw3-oAAAAJ&hl=en
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OWSD Programmes
July 2022 OWSD Award
other-awards
Awards
July 2022 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early Career Women Scientists
November 2020 Bright Spark Lecture Award by ISSMGE
July 2018 Best PhD Thesis Award (Mollie Holman Medal Nominee), Monash University
October 2017 Best Postgraduate Publication Award, Monash University
June 2013 Mallika De Mel Memorial Gold Award by the University of Ruhuna