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I featured in Women in Research Exhibition at University of Reading. This exhibition focused on celebrating women who work in research, and who are good female role models for those aspiring to be researchers, or are already working in this area.
Tharindu Liyanagunawardena is an international student at the University of Reading, studying for a PhD in computer science under a university studentship. She is from Sri Lanka and has toddler twins - a son and a daughter.
‘Research is interesting because it constantly opens up new ways of thinking. My own thoughts and opinions have broadened since I’ve started my studies here. I have quite a unique situation where I have to balance my research work with my toddler twins who were born during my second year of the PhD. Giving birth to two underweight babies despite carrying them to term meant that I had to take extended maternity leave during my data collection in Sri Lanka. The University was extremely flexible about this, unlike most other employers. However, with the support from my family I managed to complete the data collection as planned.The twins were only 11 months old when we brought them back to the UK. Luckily we found a nursery close to where we live, but initially as the language and environment was so different, the twins took a long time to settle. Research in a university like this allows for flexible working hours, which helps me balance my work and caring duties. The twins attend nursery for three days and I look after them for the other two days. My husband takes over childcare duties at weekends, allowing me to work on my research. So I still get to work a five-day week.’
‘Research is interesting because it constantly opens up new ways of thinking. My own thoughts and opinions have broadened since I’ve started my studies here. I have quite a unique situation where I have to balance my research work with my toddler twins who were born during my second year of the PhD. Giving birth to two underweight babies despite carrying them to term meant that I had to take extended maternity leave during my data collection in Sri Lanka. The University was extremely flexible about this, unlike most other employers. However, with the support from my family I managed to complete the data collection as planned.The twins were only 11 months old when we brought them back to the UK. Luckily we found a nursery close to where we live, but initially as the language and environment was so different, the twins took a long time to settle. Research in a university like this allows for flexible working hours, which helps me balance my work and caring duties. The twins attend nursery for three days and I look after them for the other two days. My husband takes over childcare duties at weekends, allowing me to work on my research. So I still get to work a five-day week.’
You can view the full brochure produced by University of Reading (Page 8).
Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
This recognition reflects not just my experience in teaching and supporting learning, but also my commitment to inclusive practice—something I care deeply about. I was especially encouraged by the panel’s feedback, which noted:
“This is a comprehensive claim from an experienced and competent applicant. The application is anchored in inclusive practice, and at times, has many ‘D4 aspects’ to it in terms of reach.”
To have elements of my work recognised as aligning with Principal Fellow (PFHEA) standards is truly humbling—and motivating.
The 2019 EDEN Best Research Paper Award
The 2019 EDEN Best Research Paper Award
My work Automatic Transcription software: Good enough for accessibility? A case study from Built Environment Education was awarded the 2019 EDEN Best Research Paper Award.
Learning Technologist of the Year Awards 2021
Third Place Team Awards - The Digital Education Team, UCEM
Receiving the EDI Staff Volunteer of the Year 2025 Award from Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Parveen Yaqoob
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Volunteer 2025
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Volunteer 2025
I feel truly honoured to have received the EDI Volunteer of the Year Award for my work with the Women’s Network (Women@Reading) and for my advocacy in digital accessibility. My daughter was my plus one for the evening—initially for practical reasons—but on reflection, it felt fitting. After school she went to Cadets, then volunteered with Brownies, and finally joined me for the award ceremony. It was a wonderful reminder that values of service and inclusion are carried forward in many ways.
"Tharindu Liyanagunawardena Co-Chair of the Women@Reading Staff Network and Digital Accessibility expert at the University, has shown exceptional dedication to EDI. Her efforts have revitalized the Women@Reading network, driving engagement, fostering inclusivity, and demonstrating strong leadership through various initiatives and advocacy.
One of her notable achievements includes securing Diversity & Inclusion funding in collaboration with the Students' Union for a White Ribbon Day event. This event aimed to raise awareness about violence against women and girls and featured self-defence workshops. The program brought together over 80 staff, students, and community members, with 96% of participants reporting increased awareness of violence risks and improved confidence in personal safety and self-defence skills.
Tharindu also volunteers her digital accessibility expertise to various projects. She played a key role in the British Council's Connecting Through Cultures project, which supports artisans in Sri Lanka. This initiative, which won a £10,000 grant, promotes unity by bringing together artisans from diverse backgrounds and ensuring the project's digital outputs are fully accessible. Additionally, Tharindu provides free guidance to local charities, improving digital accessibility for organizations such as U3A Woodley and an Oxfordshire-based mental health recovery service.
Her unwavering commitment to EDI has had a tangible impact on communities both locally and globally, making her a truly deserving recipient of this award."
THE Awards 2024 Shortlisted Outstanding contribution to EDI
THE Awards 2024 Shortlisted Outstanding contribution to EDI
The University of Reading is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is respected. In 2022-23, we launched our Decolonising the Curriculum resource to industry acclaim. We formally became a University of Sanctuary, recognising our dedication to supporting those seeking sanctuary. We earned our Bronze Race Equality Charter Award, reflecting our strategic actions towards race equality. Our Inclusion Consultants scheme helped establish BAME student networks and helped our curriculum be more inclusive. We launched a new LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Fund to support understanding for our LGBTQIA+ community, while our Technical Services team were first in the UK to receive a Silver Athena Swan award for gender equality. We launched 'Look Again', a campaign to improve digital accessibility, while our research in EDI-related areas continued to make significant contributions to society. Together, these initiatives set a benchmark for inclusivity in higher education.
UCEM STAR Awards 2021- Passion
UCEM STAR Awards 2021- Passion
I am so touched to have received this amazing feedback from my colleagues at the UCEM virtual Christmas party nominating me for the UCEM Star awards 2021. I am honored to receive the UCEM Star awards 2021 Passion award for my #accessibility work.
• Everything she does is to an exceptional standard.
• Her passion for accessibility is simply extraordinary, evidenced by all the training she has done and recent development of the VLE course.
• She is so passionate about this topic and engages and informs all staff on her mission.
• The course she created was thoroughly enjoyable to work through, the time and effort she puts into the project is evident.
• She is integral to ensuring UCEM is head and shoulders above its competitors in terms of online content and digital accessibility.
• Her research work demonstrates impact and influence and her collegiate approach supports her colleagues superbly.
• She is a hidden gem, working without fuss but having a real impact in so many areas.
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