Asela K. Kulatunga

Dr Asela K. Kulatunga is a Lecturer in Industrial Systems (E&R) at the Department of Engineering, Faculty of Environment, Science, and Economics, University of Exeter, UK. He also serves as the Director of the MSc Programme in International Supply Chain Management. With over two decades of academic and research experience across Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, and the USA, he brings a global perspective to sustainable industrial and supply chain systems.

Education:

• PhD in Industrial Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia (2013)
• BSc in Production/Manufacturing Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2000)

His research focuses on sustainability aspects of industrial and supply chain engineering, utilizing systems thinking to tackle complex, transdisciplinary challenges. He employs methodologies such as systematic review, modeling & simulation, and data analytics to develop optimal solutions for sustainable engineering and management problems. His work strongly aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9).

Dr Kulatunga has held prominent roles including Professor and Head of the Department of Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering (2020–2023) and Senior Lecturer (2013–2020) at the University of Peradeniya. He was a Fulbright Advanced Research and Teaching Scholar at the University of Kentucky, USA (2023), and a gLink Erasmus Mundus Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Bremen, Germany (2015/2016).

Professional Affiliations:

• IISE-USA
• GCSM-Germany
• IEOM-USA
• CPSL-Germany
• National committees related to ministries of Environment, Industries, Agriculture, and Vocational Training in Sri Lanka

He is actively engaged in research supervision, consultancy, international collaboration, and quality reviews in education. He welcomes opportunities for keynote speaking, chairing panels, and serving on committees and boards.