Dr Sean Perera
BSc (Bangalore), MSc (Peradeniya), PhD (ANU)
Lecturer
ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and ANU College of Physical and Mathematical 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
Biography
Dr Sean Perera is currently a Sessional Academic at the ANU Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS-ANU), where he has held several positions including Research Fellow, Lecturer, and International Programs Convener since 2007.
His research explores how science is communicated with culturally and linguistically diverse audiences. He is an internationally recognised expert in cross-cultural science communication, and convenes the course Cross-cultural Perspectives in Science Communication (SCOM3029 / SCOM6029) at CPAS-ANU.
Sean earned his PhD in science communication from ANU in 2010. He has a First Class, Tri-major Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology, chemistry and zoology from Bangalore University, India, and a Master's Degree in agriculture from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 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 Communication in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Contexts
- Science Teaching from Science Communication Perspectives
Sean Coordinates the Science Communication Research and Education Network (SCREN) of university-based science communicators in Australasia.
Current student projects
Exploring primary school science teachers’ learning during the Science Enrichment Programmes at the Science Centre Singapore. Researcher: S. Sharma.
Science Alliance: Informal Science Activities for the Social Development of People with Intellectual Disabilities. Researcher: V. de Kauwe.
The Role of ICT in Science Communication and Science Education Towards Disaster Related Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. M. Anggaryani.
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Publications
- 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. 1-20.
- 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.
- 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.
