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.
COLLABORATIONS:
For scholars: open to potential project and grant collaborations related to the below research interest or related, please contact
For students: if you have an interest in science communication or related project work or internship, please contact
E-mail: thilinah(AT)elsi.jp
RESEARCH INTEREST:
Evaluation: (at ELSI)
The research design to assess the public outreach, engagement, and research communication activities and events that would have a broader understanding of the 'science and society' model.
Astrobiology and Transdisciplinary: (at ELSI)
Exploring transdisciplinary astrobiology through the synergy of education, communication, art, and engagement with and for society.
Origins of Life and Society: (at ELSI)
Assessment of big questions in OoL - When and where did life on Earth begin? What are the ingredients of life on Earth? What are the major scientific theories for life emergence?
Science-Art with Astrobiology / Origins of Life: (at ELSI)
Crossing the boundaries of science and art with astrobiology and origins of life through an interdisciplinary approach.
Decolonising Science/Astronomy: (at UN/IAU)
The critical look at how science enterprise actively engaged for years and continues to do so in colonial practices in academia.
Remote Astronomical Observation: (at LCO/NAOJ)
To use remote astronomical facilities for research projects with undergraduate and graduate students in developing countries.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
Evaluation of School Engagement with Origins of Life and Astrobiology
Astrobiology & Media: Assessment of Pipeline of Research Publication to the Media Engagement
ELSI Science-Art Residency Project
Big Ideas in Astrobiology for Societal Literacy
Astrometric Measurements of Double Star Systems
Photometric Measurements of Exoplanets
TEACHING:
Science Communication course for Master students Q3 at Earth-Life Science Institue (ELSI), Tokyo
Science Communication course for PhD students Q3 at Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI)
Science Communication course for graduate students Q1-3 at Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI
Astronomy and Big Date course for undergraduate students Q1 at SLARI
Astrometric Measurements course for undergraduate and graduate students Q2 at SLARI
Photometric Measurements course for graduate students Q2 at SLARI
COLLABORATING SCHOLARS: FY2023-
Danilo Albergaria, postdoctoral scholar, Leiden University/ELSI: Astrobiology and Media, August 2023 - ongoing
Lukáš Likavčan, postdoctoral fellow, New York University Shanghai: ELSI Visiting Scholar on Philosophy and Origins of Life, March-April 2024
Pedro Russo, professor, Leiden University: ELSI Visiting Scholar on Public Engagement, Science Communication, and Astrobiology Communication, August 2023
Kayo Nomura, artist, Hokkaido: ELSI Science-Art Resident on ‘Complex Systems’ in Origins of Life, October 2023 - March 2024
STUDENT SUPERVISION: Science Communication (internships) FY2021-
Collaborating Institutions: Leiden University, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), Astrobiology Centre Japan (ABC), Blue Marble Space Institute of Science (BMSIS), NASA Astrobiology, Japan SciCom Forum (JSF).
Charlotte Valk, ELSI-JSF science communication intern, Utrecht University: Comparative analysis in science communication of community preferences and Topical dissemination and content production for Japan SciCom Forum website, August-November 2023
Kelin Li, ELSI science communication intern, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Exploratory Assessment of Outreach Activities at Japanese Research Institutions, September 2022 – March 2023
Sakiko Miyazaki, ELSI-BMSIS Young Scientist Program, Harvard College, Landscape of Community Engagements Efforts in Origins of Life Research, June-August 2022
Gwen LaPlante, ELSI-BMSIS Young Scientist Program, Barnard College, Landscape of Community Engagements Efforts in Origins of Life Research, June-August 2022
Juan Ruiz, ELSI-BMSIS Young Scientist Program, Lowell Observatory, Landscape of Community Engagements Efforts in Origins of Life Research, June-August 2022
Sakiko Miyazaki, ELSI science communication intern, Harvard College, Big Ideas in Origins of Life, June-August 2022
Wen Shujie, ELSI science communication intern, Tokyo Institute of Technology: Design Production for Research Communication, November 2021 - March 2022
Dolgormaa Banzragch, ELSI science communication intern, Tokyo Institute of Technology: Views of Origins of Life Scientists and Outreach, November 2021 - March 2022
Wen Shujie, ELSI science communication intern, Tokyo Institute of Technology: Design Production for Research Communication, November 2020 - March 2021
Rei Sato, ELSI science communication intern, Tokyo Institute of Technology: Evaluation of Public Engagement in Origins of Life, November 2020 - March 2021
STUDENT SUPERVISION: Astronomy (undergraduate/master) FY2019-
Collaborating Institutions: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), Las Cumbres Observatory, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka Astronomical Research Initiative (SLARI), University of Jaffna
S.C.L Fernando, Undergraduate Fourth Year, Physics, Orbital and Magantitude Measurements, 2023-2024
H.D.S Amaradasa, PhD Final year, Astronomy, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022
K.G Samararathna, MPhil First Year, Astronomy, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022
A.G.P.D Alahakoon, MPhil First Year, Astronomy, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022
V.G.S.I Karunaratne, Undergraduate Second Year, Physics, Computer Science, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022
R.K. Yathugoda, Undergraduate Second Year, Physics, Computer Science, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022
N.S.D.Withanage, Undergraduate, Second Year, Physics, Industrial Mathematics, CCD Measurements of WDS 19203+0056 Physical Double, 2019-2022