About Dr Buddhinie Ubesingha
I joined the University of Sunderland as a Lecturer in Project Management in 2026, and have 22 years of combined experience in industry and academia, managing complex projects in the construction and infrastructure sectors. I am passionate about bridging the gap between practical, on-the-ground delivery and the academic theories that underpin the profession.
Before transitioning into academia, I have managed multidisciplinary teams, overseen multimillion-pound budgets, and navigated the technical, regulatory, and human challenges inherent in delivering critical infrastructure. It was this rich industry background, combined with my passion to address pressing needs through research that delivers real-world outcomes, that ultimately drew me to academia.
My academic research is a natural extension of my professional life. My PhD inquired into the ethical and professional nature of post-disaster reconstruction projects. My current research is interdisciplinary and sits at the intersection of engineering and infrastructure project studies, grand challenges, and disasters.
Teaching and supervision
I teach the following modules:
- ENGM91 - Project Management And Control
- ENGM117 - Project Delivery & International Project Management
- ENGM116 - Leadership and the Management of Project Risk, Quality and People
- ENGM144 - Professional Project Manager
- ENGM136 - Project Management.
Interests
- Resilience Infrastructure and Disaster Management
- Sustainability
- Industry 5.0.
- Artificial Engineering and Digital Tools
- Human-centric Engineering
- Professionalism and Ethics
I am open to supervise MPhil/PhD candidates.
Research
My current research is interdisciplinary and sits at the intersection of engineering and infrastructure project studies, grand challenges, and disasters. It brings together engineering and infrastructure project management, professional ethics, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience to examine how infrastructure and engineering systems can be delivered and governed more ethically, sustainably, and resiliently in complex and crisis-driven contexts.
This positioning reflects the trajectory of my research, which has evolved from a doctoral study of professionalism and ethics in post-disaster reconstruction towards a broader programme of work concerned with the grand challenges facing contemporary infrastructure and engineering delivery.
Research Recognition
My research is published in Q1 peer-reviewed journals, with additional outputs in book chapters. I serve as a peer reviewer for Q1 journals, including Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management (ECAM) and MDPI Journals, contributing to the quality assurance of research in my field.
My research has been recognised through several awards and honours, including the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) People's Choice Award (London South Bank University, 2025), the Second Runner-up Paper Prize at the CIB W099 & W123 International Conference (2024), the Best Poster Award at the School of Built Environment and Architecture End-of-Year Research Event (2023), and a competitive UK-HEI funded PhD full scholarship.
Research Supervision
I have supervised over 50 postgraduate research projects across London South Bank University, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Sunderland.
My students have achieved:
- 9 Research Merit Awards
- PhD funding from top 500 universities
- Presented at international conferences
- Co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles
Research Impact
My research generates impact across policy, practice, and professional education in infrastructure and engineering.
Policy and governance - My research on post-disaster rebuilding and climate resilience informs policy discussions with international agencies and national research organisations.
Practice and industry - My work on climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable design, and project delivery translates into practical guidance for professionals
Professional education - My research informs curriculum development and teaching practice in infrastructure and construction project management, embedding professional standards, ethics, and research-informed learning into engineering education.
Further information
- Member, Ethics Review Panel, University of Sunderland (2026–present)
- Member, Access and Participation Plan (APP) Forum, University of Sunderland (2026–present)
- Member, Stakeholder Engagement Mechanism (SEM), Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2026–present)
- Member, Coalition on Dignified Climate Relocation (2025–present)
- Postgraduate Research Representative, Research Board of Studies, London South Bank University (2022–2024)
- Board Member, Professional Affairs Board, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2018–2020)
- Member, Procurement and Evaluations Committee, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2021–2022)
- Member, Committee on Green and Sustainability, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2019–2022)
- Member, Committee on Advancement of the Profession, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2020–2021)
- Member, Continuing Professional Development Committee, Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (2017–2018)
- Life Member, United Nations Association of Sri Lanka
- National Executive Committee Member, United Nations Association of Sri Lanka (2019–2020)