Dr Sean Perera
BSc (Bangalore), MSc (Peradeniya), PhD (ANU)
Academic Sub Dean & Program Convenor
ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences
Areas of expertise
- Multicultural, Intercultural And Cross Cultural Studies 200209
- Comparative And Cross Cultural Education 130302
- Teacher Education And Professional Development Of Educators 130313
- Education Assessment And Evaluation 130303
- Communication And Media Studies 2001
- Migrant Cultural Studies 200208
Biography
Dr Sean Perera is an internationally recognised expert in cross-cultural communication. His research and teaching explore STEAM communication with culturally and linguistically diverse audiences, with a special focus on teacher professional development and migrants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Sean is presently the Academic Sub Dean of ANU Graduate Studies Select, and the Program Convenor of ANU Bachelor of Studies. He has held several academic leadership positions at ANU, including Convenor of the Bachelor of Philosophy Honours at the College of Arts and Social Sciences, and International Programs Convenor for Science Communication at the College of Science. Sean believes strongly in enabling not only his students but also his peers to achieve their full potential, and he is currently a Custodian and former Co-chair of NECTAR - the network for early career academics at ANU.
Before he entered the then emerging scholarly discipline of science communication, in which he earned his PhD from ANU, Sean worked as a research scientist in the South Asia after completing a triple major in microbiology, chemistry and zoology.
Some of his significant achievements are listed below:
- Colleges of Science Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2015)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy UK (since 2015)
- ANU Vice-Chancellor's Team Award for Public Policy and Outreach (2015)
- Leader of Opening Doors Project - engaging disadvantaged, young immigrants with Australian science (since 2012)
- Co-author of Federal Government commissioned Inspiring Australia Developing Evidence Base for Science Engagement Report (2012)
- Edward Gray Memorial Prize - Australia Sri Lanka Council for promoting bi-lateral relations through science communication (2007)
- Total grant funding exceeding A$150,000 for science communication research and outreach, procured from funding bodies in Australia and internationally.
Researcher's projects
- Opening Doors: Science Engagement for Young Humanitarian Immigrants
- Science Communicators in School: An evidence-based participatory approach towards secondary science teaching
- Attitudes to Science Education: Comparing Taiwanese and Australian Perspectives
- The Two Way Project: Democratising the University through New Media and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
Publications
- Bammer, G, Browne, C, Ballard, C et al. 2023, 'Setting parameters for developing undergraduate expertise in transdisciplinary problem solving at a university-wide scale: a case study', Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 10.
- Huttner-Koros, A & Perera, S 2016, 'Communicating science in English: A preliminary exploration into the professional self-perceptions of Australian scientists from language backgrounds other than English', Journal of Science Communication, vol. 15, no. 6, pp. 1-20pp.
- McKinnon, M & Perera, S 2015, 'The Big Picture: Pre-service teachers' perceptions of 'expert' science teachers', Teaching Science, vol. 61, no. 4, pp. 32-45pp.
- Perera, S & Stocklmayer, S 2013, 'Science Communication and Science Education', in John K Gilbert and Susan Stocklmayer (ed.), Communication and engagement with Science and Technology. Issues and Dilemmas, Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, New York and Abingdon, pp. 180-196. Japanese Translation Published in 2015.
- Perera, S. (2013). Is post-compulsory science a study option for everyone? Findings from an innovate science programme for young humanitarian immigrants in Australia. Proceedings of 2013 World Conference on Science and Technology Education. 29 September to 4 October 2013. Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia: International Council of Associations for Science Education.
- Eckersley, R, Stocklmayer, S & Perera, S 2011, Expert Working Group on Developing an Evidence Base for Science Engagement in Australia: Recommendations.
- Wilson, P., Perera, S., & Lai, W. (2012). What's special in a good meal? A study to examine the "good" or "special" meal as identified by children to gauge the strength of tradition and family values in the face of nutritional directives. Proceedings ASC National Conference 2012. Sydney: Australian Science Communicators. pp. 30-31.
- Perera, S. (2012). A taste for science. (Montage). Sunday Observer. Colombo: Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. 19 January 2012. http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/02/19/mon06.asp
- Perera, S. (2011). A critical reflection on pre-Buddhist Sri Lanka. (Montage). Sunday Observer. Colombo: Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. Part 1, 7 August 2011 & Part 2, 14 August 2011: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/08/07/mon05.asp
- Perera, S. (2011). She'll be right, mate - Is the Aussie attitude incompatible with science?. (Science & Technology). The Conversation. The Conversation Media Group. 7 July 2011.
- Perera, S. (2011). Serving up the Pierian Waters: A role for science communication in formal science education. Proceedings, 42nd Annual Australasian Science Education Research Association Conference. Adelaide: University of South Australia. p.84.
- Perera, S. (2011). Terrorism: When the battle within becomes the battle without. (Montage). Sunday Observer. Colombo : Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. 26 June 2011: p.47 http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/06/26/mon10.asp
- Perera, S. (2011). Science Teachers from Non-Western Backgrounds Challenged by (Western) Science: A Whole Other Ball Game, International Journal of Science in Society, 2(2): pp.11-22.
- Perera, S. (2010). From public awareness to public understanding of science: A model. (Poster). In Dwivedi, K.K., Gascoigne, T., Lewenstein, B., Cho, S.K., Verma, P.K., Vyas, P.C., Banerji, T.B. & Patairiya, M.K. (Eds.), Proceedings, 11th International Conference on Public Communication of Science and Technology. New Delhi: PCST Network. ISBN 81-7272-021-1: p.684
- Perera, S. & Stocklmayer, S. (2010). A Constructivist Framework for a Model of Short-term Professional Development for Science Teachers. (Poster). In J. Holbrook, M. Rannikmae, R. Soobard, B. Cavas, & M. Kim, (Eds.), Proceedings, 3rd World Conference on Science and Technology Education. University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
- Perera, S. (2010). Exploring the implication of science communication practices on a model for teacher professional development: Serving up the Pierian Waters. (PhD thesis). Canberra: The Australian National University.
- Perera, S. (2010). Science Communication: Holding knowledge-constructs together. Australian Science Communicators National Conference 2010. Australian Science Communicators, Canberra.
- Perera, S. (2009). Science communication and its implications for A/L students. (Features). Ceylon Daily News. Colombo: Lake House Publishers. 22 June 2009: p.16.
- Perera, S. (2009). Tackling terrorism through transitions. (Op Ed). The Canberra Times. Canberra: Fairfax Media. 21 August 2009: p.13
- Perera, S. (2009). Effective Science Communication Practices and Simple Hands-on Activities: Two Important Elements of Teacher Professional Development. In M. Costa, J. Dorrio, & M. Patairiya (Eds.), Proceedings, International Conference on Hands-on Science (HSC1 2009). The Hands-on Science Network, India, pp. 134-138.
- Perera, S. (2009). Challenges for English Medium Instruction in Sri Lanka. ASTC Dimensions. July/August Issue 2009, pp. 11-12.
- Perera, S. Stocklmayer, S. & Gore, M. (2007). Linking Teachers' Knowledge for Professional Empowerment. In G. Venville & V. Dawson (Eds.), Proceedings, World Conference on Science and Technology Education 2007. Vernier International, Perth, WA., pp. 350-354.
- Peiris, S.E., & Perera, P.S.F. (2002). Identification of nutrient disorders in Dracaena sanderiana cv Gold. Sri Lankan Journal of Agricultural Science. Kandy: University of Peradeniya. Volume 39 (1): pp.27-39.
- Perera, P.S.F. (2002). Teaching biology vocabulary in the English medium at tertiary level. In R.Raheem & T.Kandiah (Eds), Proceedings, Sri Lanka English Language Teachers' Association 2nd International Conference. Colombo: British Council. p.25.
