Dr. Ruwini EDIRISINGHE

Ruwini Edirisinghe specialises in digital innovation in Built Environment, particularly in facility management and construction management. Her specific research projects address the emerging needs of Construction 4.0 and Construction 5.0 through smart technologies such as smart wearables, IoT, BIM, digital twins, AR//XR/MR, Blockchain, analytics and AI to  improve work heath and safety, infrastructure performance prediction, life cycle assessments, decarbonization and circularity in built infrastructure. She is a senior member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and School representative of CIB Working Commission W078 (ICT in Construction) 

Ruwini's research and engagement activities in diversity and inclusion area focus on improving the under-representation of diverse groups in engineering and construction professions. Some projects include Women in Engineering and Construction. Ruwini has been a passionate and effective advocate for gender diversity in the engineering profession since 2012 through IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organisation and since 2014 through RMIT's Women Researcher's Network. Currently she leads teams/committees to promote diversity beyond gender to make an impact across the whole 'education' and 'career pipeline' including school outreach programs.

Ruwini has demonstrated research leadership by securing a growing volume of grants and prestigious fellowships. So far, Ruwini has secured $4.9 million in research funding and has been awarded several research awards. She has a strong track record of leading collaborations with local and national research partners and also with industry and the community to make an impact. 

Awards and fellowships

• Outstanding Volunteer award (2023), IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Vic
• Vistas Award (2023), CIB (The International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction)
• RMIT Research Award: Malcolm Moore Industry (2015), RMIT University
• Vice-Chancellor's Research Fellowship Award (2015), RMIT University
• Early Career Researcher International Travel Award (2014), RMIT University
• Endeavour Post-doctoral Research Fellowship Award (2011), Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• Research Commercialisation Training Award (2008), Commonwealth Government, Australia

• Chair of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Women in Engineering Victorian section (external). 
• CIB Working Commission W078 (International Council for Building's working commission, Information Technology for construction) Committee member -PCPM representative (External)
• Co-chair of the Diversity and Inclusions Advocacy Group (DIAG) at the School of PCPM (RMIT)
• RMIT's Athena SWAN Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Group (RMIT).
• Deputy chair of RMIT's Women Researcher's Network :2023 (RMIT).
• IEEE Region 10 - Asia Pacific Executive Committee member :former(External)

• 2013 – Certificate I (Agile Project Management), Charles Sturt University, Australia
• 2009 – Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Computer Science), Monash University, Australia
• 2009 – Graduate Certificate (Research Commercialisation), Monash University, Australia
• 2001 – Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Science Hons), University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka