Hi, I’m Nalaka Gunawardene…

Hi, my name is Nalaka Gunawardene.

I’m basically a story-teller: a journalist and science writer by training, I’ve worked in Asian media and development communication sphere for 20 years. I think of myself as a life-long student and apprentice in communication.

By day, I’m the Director of Television for Education - Asia Pacific, trading as TVE Asia Pacific (TVEAP), a regional non-profit foundation. I work with film-makers, TV journalists as well as educational and civil society users of video, trying to tell factual stories of Asia’s development efforts through moving images. We believe that authentic moving images can move people to change lives and lifestyles that are better for themselves — and the planet.

By night, I dabble in a bit of freelance science writing, media research and conference speaking. A Google search for my name will bring up many of my pieces published online at various high-impact outlets.

Every year, I donate part of my time to serve on the Boards of the Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net), anchored in the UK but working globally, and Panos South Asia, anchored in Kathmandu and working across South Asia.

Photo (left): Me in my working clothes, captured by friend Shahidul Alam; (right): Making an impression at 3rd Global Knowledge Conference in Kuala Lumpur, December 2007 (photo by Sasa Kralj)

My current interest is to understand how the new media can undermine traditional centres of authority. There is no such thing as a dumb question in my book.

A more detailed profile is found here

I can be reached on email nalaka AT nalaka DOT org

Please note:
The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own, and do not reflect the official positions of any organisation that I am associated with.