Dr. Thilina Heenatigala (he/him) is a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor and the Director of Communications at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). He heads the ELSI PR Office, teaches science communication for graduate students, supervises science communication internships, and coordinates science and society projects. He also conducts astronomy research projects with students from developing countries through the Las Cumbres Observatory and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. His research interests are public engagement evaluation, science & society strategies at research institutions, astrobiology communication, and decolonising science.
Dr. Thilina Heenatigala (he/him) is a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor and the Director of Communications at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech). He heads the ELSI PR Office, teaches science communication for graduate students, supervises science communication internships, and coordinates science and society projects. He also conducts astronomy research projects with students from developing countries through the Las Cumbres Observatory and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. His research interests are public engagement evaluation, science & society strategies at research institutions, astrobiology communication, and decolonising science.
He is a co-organiser of the Japan SciCom Forum, the only English-language science communication group in Japan to host an annual conference and regular meetups. He's also affiliated with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to support the offices on various projects and as a reviewer. He coordinates decolonising science efforts at the UN Science Summit and science engagement activities through Falling Walls Engage Hub Japan.
He is a co-organiser of the Japan SciCom Forum, the only English-language science communication group in Japan to host an annual conference and regular meetups. He's also affiliated with the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to support the offices on various projects and as a reviewer. He coordinates decolonising science efforts at the UN Science Summit and science engagement activities through Falling Walls Engage Hub Japan.