Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background and your area of study?
My name is Kalani Perera, and I’m a PhD scholar at the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, originally from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka. I bring a diverse academic background that spans Agriculture, Economics and Business Management, Human Resource Management, Environmental Management, as well as Psychology and Counselling., and my current research focuses on sustainability education within higher educational institutes.
Professionally, I have held a range of roles including lecturer, program coordinator, researcher, consultant, and interpreter. Drawing from my interdisciplinary academic and professional journey, I am passionate aboutevolving as an interdisciplinary scholar committed to integrating knowledge across disciplines to address complex environmental and sustainability issues in innovative and impactful ways.
What is your role within the MGAEC, and what are you hoping to achieve over your term in office?
My new role on the MGAEC as the Research Education Officer focuses on representing and advocating for the research graduate community at
Monash University. I am deeply committed to being a strong voice for research students, ensuring their concerns, ideas, and experiences are heard and brought forward to the relevant bodies within the university.
I’m particularly passionate about working collaboratively with our vibrant research graduate community to foster a more supportive, inclusive, and
enriching research environment. Throughout my term, I hope to contribute to initiatives that enhance the quality of life and overall experience of research students, especially in areas such as mental health and wellbeing, academic support, and professional development.
What motivated you to join the executive committee? What drives you to make a difference in your graduate student community?
What motivated me to join the executive committee was a strong desire to make a meaningful contribution to the graduate community at Monash and to be part of a platform that drives positive change. As a research student myself, I understand the unique challenges many of us face, whether it’s navigating academic pressures, maintaining mental wellbeing, or fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
I was particularly inspired by the work of the Monash Graduate Association (MGA) and its commitment to advocating for and supporting graduate students across all faculties. Witnessing the positive impact, the MGA has had in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for Monash graduate students encouraged me to get involved and contribute to this important mission.
Having benefited greatly from these networks, I felt motivated to give back by taking on a role where I could advocate for others, amplify student voices, and help shape initiatives that address the real needs of our community.