Nadeeka Karunaratne received her PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also holds an MA in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University and a BS in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Nadeeka has worked in higher education for over a decade, engaging in higher education research, violence prevention education, multicultural affairs, and racial equity work. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher, conducting critical qualitative research aimed at preventing and addressing harm in higher education. Nadeeka’s research focuses on addressing and interrupting sexual violence among college students and developing critical and healing methodologies. In her dissertation research, she explored the healing journeys of women and femme college students of color who had survived dating violence. Nadeeka believes that engagement in the research process can create opportunities for healing and transformation for participants and researchers. Guided by this philosophy, she hopes to support students in connecting to the unique transformative nature of their own research processes. She enjoys helping students conceptualize their research, develop methods, and find congruence across all aspects of a study. She aims to support students holistically as they navigate their doctoral journeys, co-creating strategies and tools for success and providing accountability and encouragement.
