PhD spotlight: Meet Viyanga Gunasekera
Viyanga Gunasekera is a final-year PhD scholar at the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet). Her research on people's lives after Sri Lanka's civil war provides a new lens for understanding the war's impact on everyday lives beyond ethnicity. In this Q&A, Viyanga shares her PhD journey and how doing this research reshapes her perspective on people and community.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Viyanga Gunasekera—Vi for short. I'm a long way from my home in Sri Lanka, but slowly making a new life here in Australia. I am trained as a social science researcher and am currently studying women and community-making in postwar Sri Lanka.
What inspired you to pursue a PhD?
It is a story of fate and hard work. I was not a very academic student when I was younger, but I was selected to enter a state university in Sri Lanka through a highly competitive admissions process. There, I became increasingly drawn to independent learning and critical thinking. I later began an MPhil in social psychology while working as a social science researcher.
Unfortunately, I completed my MPhil during the COVID-19 pandemic. It took me four years to finish a two-year degree. Although I loved my research topic and enjoyed writing about it, the prolonged journey was mentally draining. I had to work extra hard to stay motivated and convince the institution not to give up on me. After finally completing the degree, I decided not to pursue a PhD for at least another five years.
Just a few months later, however, I came across a PhD opportunity at ANU with Dr Lia Kent. Having worked with her before, I knew her research interests aligned closely with mine, and that she is one of the kindest, most supportive and most accomplished scholars I have met. She encouraged me to continue exploring the research areas I had already begun. Combined with the resilience I had built through my MPhil, that opportunity made me realise it was the right time to pursue a PhD.
What has been the most challenging part of your PhD journey so far?
Leaving my family and moving to Australia has been the most challenging part of my journey. I had always lived with my family and had never lived on my own, let alone in a new country.
It was difficult at first, but I soon discovered that RegNet is a close-knit community that feels like a family. Everybody here genuinely cares about each other's overall well-being, not just academic achievements. Lia and my other amazing supervisors, Miranda Frosyth and Bina D'Costa, always ask how I’m doing, not just how my research is progressing, and we begin our meetings by talking about my wellbeing. Dusanka Kolundzija always has such kind and encouraging words, and looks after me like a mum, often bringing me hot chocolate or even food. I also discovered that ANU offers many support services for students like me.
Being at RegNet for almost four years has shown me that doing a PhD is not just about the research, but also the human values and connections I make throughout this journey.
How do you stay motivated?
For me, motivation comes after I start doing the work, not before. So, I keep working. I come to the university almost every day, sit at my desk and do something, whether that’s writing, reading, revising, rewriting, transcribing, coding, going to seminars, chatting with colleagues or even just staring at my screens, not knowing what to do.
How was your fieldwork experience?
My fieldwork experience was very interesting and rewarding. It was after a long time that I was able to conduct fieldwork myself, rather than interpreting data collected by others.
It was a great experience visiting several villages, meeting many people and learning from them. I was surprised to receive the utmost hospitality in the villages. Since I had the flexibility and time to engage, I was able to spend quite a bit of time talking and walking around the villages, rather than just 'conducting interviews'. Many women welcomed me to their homes and treated me to lunch, snacks and drinks. I knew that people would be willing to participate in interviews, but I didn't think I would form such deep connections. These connections I made are the best part of my fieldwork.
More than just 'collecting data,' this process taught me a lot about Sri Lanka, the civil war and people's lives. I realised that the war is not only about ethnicity, but between more powerful actors such as states, politicians and militants. Ordinary local people did not always have a part to play in the war.
I also unlearned many assumptions I thought I knew. We tend to interpret many aspects in Sri Lanka, such as development, war, peace and community, through an ethnic lens. This project challenged that perspective and taught me to think in more plural and inclusive ways.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their PhD?
It’s no secret that completing a PhD is challenging, and staying engaged for four years takes commitment. Choose a project you are curious about and keen to learn in depth from the start. Then, the PhD becomes less of a task and more something that you truly enjoy.
Getting the PhD is the cherry on top. It's the learning journey and the people I meet that are the real treat. As a final-year PhD scholar, I find it very helpful to talk with peers at the same stage. Sharing our problems and anxieties helps us realise we are not alone on this journey and encourages us to cheer each other on as we keep going.