Researcher biography
Sandya's primary research focus lies in the study of ocean sustainability, regional fisheries management organizations, conservation and sustainable utilization of marine biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), and the management of Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs). Recently, she has expanded her research interests to include the examination of biopesticides and agriculture policies and laws, with a specific emphasis on understanding decision-making processes related to food security. She possesses proficient knowledge in qualitative research analysis using NVivo and Leximancer, as well as quantitative research methods employing SPSS.
Book Chapters
Elder, Mark, Rahiman, Riya, Aliyu, Aliyu, Amiraslani, Farshad, Boateng, Elliot, Beevers, Lindsay, Gaddis, Erica, Henrysson, Maryna, Kirilenko, Andrei, Kolahi, Mahdi, Krishnakumar, Jyotsna, Kelkar, Govind, Lin, Tao, Olsen, Simon Høiberg, Tirado, Maria Cristina, Madikizela-Madiya, Nomanesi, Nelson, Valerie, Nikam, Jaee, Sangha, Kamaljit K., Gunasekara, Sandya and Rozario, Savio Rousseau (2025). Implication of environmental crises on the socioeconomic dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. Global Environment Outlook 7: A future we choose – Why investing in Earth now can lead to a trillion-dollar benefit for all. (pp. 305-329) Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP. doi: 10.59117/20.500.11822/49014
Fidelman, Pedro, Wiltshire, Karen Helen, Abdel-Gawad, Fagr, Deudero, Salud, Elegbede, Isa Olalekan, Domingues, Catia Motta, Gunasekara, Sandya, Denise, Britta and Overduin, Paul (2025). Oceans and Coasts. Global Environment Outlook 7: A future we choose – Why investing in Earth now can lead to a trillion-dollar benefit for all. (pp. 213-249) Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP. doi: 10.59117/20.500.11822/49014
Heupel, Michelle, Stobutzki, Ilona, Steer, Mike, Donelson, Jennifer, Gunasekara, Sandya, Jaine, Fabrice, Miloslavich, Patricia, Smith, Danielle and Zitoun, Rebecca (2025). National Marine Research Infrastructure: An Enabler for Australia's Sustainable Ocean Future. 21 White Papers (2025-2035): Building the Next Decade of Marine Science. (pp. 327-343) Australia: National Marine Science Committee.
Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi and Karim, Md Saiful (2019). Contemporary issues in the protection and conservation of the marine environment: an overview. International marine environmental law and policy. (pp. 3-15) edited by Daud Hassan and Saiful Karim. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.4324/9781315624921-1
Journal Articles
Tardin-Coelho, Raquel, Fletcher, Stephen, Manzie, Narelle, Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi, Fidelman, Pedro, Mitter, Neena and Ashworth, Peta (2025). A systematic review on public perceptions of RNAi-based biopesticides: developing social licence to operate. npj Sustainable Agriculture, 3 (1) 15. doi: 10.1038/s44264-025-00057-1
Gunasekara, Sandya, Fidelman, Pedro, Fletcher, Stephen, Gardiner, Donald, Manzie, Narelle, Ashworth, Peta, Tardin-Coelho, Raquel and Mitter, Neena (2025). The future of dsRNA-based biopesticides will require global regulatory cohesion. Nature Plants, 11 (4), 664-667. doi: 10.1038/s41477-025-01953-7
Dorlach, Tim and Gunasekara, Sandya (2023). The politics of glyphosate regulation: lessons from Sri Lanka’s short-lived ban. Globalization and Health, 19 (1) 84, 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s12992-023-00981-2
Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi and Karim, Md Saiful (2022). Australia's interaction with Asian countries in the negotiation for an international agreement for the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, 22 (1), 49-65. doi: 10.1007/s10784-021-09546-3
Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi and Karim, Md Saiful (2021). The role of ASEAN and its members in promoting the norm of responsible governance of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. Review of European, Comparative and International Environmental Law, 30 (1), 128-137. doi: 10.1111/reel.12372
Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi (2015). Bandwagoning, balancing, and small states: a case of Sri Lanka. Asian Social Science, 11 (28), 212-220. doi: 10.5539/ass.v11n28p212
Conference Papers
Gunasekara, Sandya and Fidelman, Pedro (2025). From challenge to change: lessons from Calantha’s path to eco-friendly biopesticides. TropAg 2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2025.
Gunasekara, Sandya and Fidelman, Pedro (2024). Current state of knowledge and on-going developments regulating RNAi-based products for agriculture. 2024 Annual Meeting - ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-3 May 2024.
Gunasekara, Sandya and Fidelman, Pedro (2024). The role of regulatory and legal frameworks in enabling RNAi-based biopesticides. 10th Annual Frontiers in Environmental Law Colloquium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 8-9 February 2024.
Dorlach, Tim and Gunasekara, Sandya (2023). Pesticide Politics in the Global South: The Turbulent Regulation of Glyphosate and Organic Agriculture in Sri Lanka. ISA World Congress of Sociology (hybrid), Melbourne, VIC Australia, 25 June - 1 July 2023.
Gunasekara, Sandya Nishanthi and Karim, MD Saiful (2019). ASEAN and its role in the promotion of the norm of the governance of marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). International Studies Association (ISA) Asia-Pacific Conference, Singapore, 4-6 July 2019.
Gunasekara, Sandya and Karim, MD Saiful (2018). ASEAN: an exploration of the institutionalisation of environmental governance in Southeast Asia. Workshop on Sustainable Transboundary Governance of the Environmental Commons in Southeast Asia, Singapore, 1-2 November 2018.
Gunasekara, Sandya and Karim, MD Saiful (2018). Protection of the Marine Environment beyond National Jurisdictions in the Indian Ocean. Maritime Order in the Indian Ocean Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 30 April – 1 May 2018.