Ishara Sewwandi Hewa Kasakarage

Ishara Sewwandi is researching blended librarianship: exploring a concept to support teaching and learning in Sri Lankan universities in the digital era

Profile photo of Ishara Sewwandi Hewa Kasakarage
PhD student Ishara Sewwandi Hewa Kasakarage

Email: sewwandi.hewakasakarage@vuw.ac.nz

Supervisors: Professor Anne Goulding and Associate Professor Spencer Lilley

Profile

Ishara Sewwandi has been working as a lecturer in the Department of Library and Information Science at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka since 2015 and is now undertaking her PhD. Her research is centered on blended librarianship, which encompasses the integration of traditional librarianship practices with emerging digital technologies and instructional design frameworks. As an academic in the field of Library and Information Science, Ishara Sewwandi has observed the transformative role of librarians in the digital age and the increasing necessity for professionals who possess both technological and pedagogical skills. This observation motivated her to investigate how blended librarianship can significantly enhance the efficacy of academic librarians in Sri Lanka.

Qualifications

  • MSSc in Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
  • BA honours in Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Research interests

Ishara Sewwandi's research interests encompass blended librarianship, information service marketing, digital transformation within academic libraries, and the integration of instructional design into library services. She is dedicated to enhancing the role of academic librarians through the adoption of innovative service models, the utilization of emerging technologies, and the implementation of user-centered information management strategies. Furthermore, Ishara Sewwandi is passionate about investigating new trends and technologies that can be effectively adapted to improve the teaching and learning process, ensuring that educational practices remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving digital landscape.

Publications

Sewwandi’s publications are available at Google Scholar.