Thashmee Karunaratne

Thashmee Karunaratne is an Associate Professor in Digital Learning at ITM School, with specific research interest in analytics-based design for digital transformation, and a particular focus on data-informed education and educational transformation. Her research triangulates datafication, semantics and implementation science-based Information systems.

With a foundation in machine learning and data mining from her PhD, Thashmee focuses on approaches to data utilisation in transformative education, enhancing student performance, monitoring skills development, and enabling timely and targeted interventions to improve educational outcomes. She has led and contributed to numerous national and international projects, including EU-funded initiatives such as SkillsMatch, as well as large-scale digital transformation efforts such as De4A (Semantic Interoperability in cross-border public services) and eSHARE, focusing on eID-enabled, Standardised, and Harmonised Health Records management. Thashmee also actively investigates institutional readiness for data sharing and evidence-based decision-making, contributing to frameworks and platforms that foster collaboration among universities, industry partners, and public sector organisations.

Beyond Digital Transformation, she researches soft and digital skills to boost employability and digital competence among students and educators. She has been instrumental in designing online and blended learning initiatives, including teacher training programs in Ukraine and Rwanda, and has contributed to ICT for Development (ICT4D) projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Her scholarly output includes publications covering topics such as learning analytics ethics and GDPR, data literacy among educators, and semantic interoperability in cross-border digital public services.