Staff Profile
Dr Winojith Sanjeewa
Lecturer in Marketing, Course Leader: Events, Hospitality, and Tourism Management Undergraduate Programme Suite
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Qualifications: BA, MA, PhD, SFHEA
I completed my PhD at the University of Leeds in 2018 with a thesis titled ‘The performance of artistes in Sri Lanka. The contribution to Ethno-religious cohesion through their shaping and challenging of socio-cultural norms.’ Prior to this I graduated from the University of Peradeniya in 2005, before graduating from York St John University with my MA in Applied theatre in 2011.
This has helped me to develop a global perspective towards how the creative cultural industry influences business and marketing. I became passionate about how this enhanced the employability prospects of local people and the boost to regional economies and the development of businesses. Ultimately it sparked my desire to move into the world of business and marketing which has led me to my current position.
I have taught at a range of high-level academic institutions in the UK, India, and Sri Lanka, over the last 17 years in my academic career, including but not limited to the University of Lincoln, Coventry University, the University of Leeds, and the University of Kelaniya.
- School – York Business School
- Email – W.sanjeewa@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 969
Teaching
I have professionally lectured for 17 years across higher education institutions in the UK, Sri Lanka, India, and Singapore which has greatly benefitted my ability to deliver teaching to students of an undergraduate and postgraduate level.
I am a course leader on the following:
- Events and Experience Management BA (Hons)
- International Tourism and Hospitality Management BA (Hons)
As a lecturer and module leader, I have been responsible for delivering:
- BMM6002M - Social media, Content, and Branding
- BMM6005M - Developing the Customer Experience
- BMN4018M - Resources Management
- BMI4002M - Leading Global Business
- BMP4004M - Practitioner Development
- BMW5001M - Professional Placement
- BMS4001M - The Global Sports Business
- BME4001 - The Global Events Industry
- BME5001M - Managing Events
- BME4002M - Event Planning and Development
In a co-teaching capacity, I have delivered these modules:
- BMN5019M - Hospitality and Service Operations
- BMB3003M - Business Enterprise
- BMM5008M - Football Marketing Strategy
- 3BMB01 - Operations and Project Management
I have also supervised student research projects on these modules:
- MBB7010M - Capstone Project (Masters dissertation students)
- 3BMB11 - Developing a Business Research Project
- 3BMB10 - Dissertation
Research
I am a lecturer in Marketing at York Business School (YBS). My early research specialised in the creative cultural industry, with my PhD examining the contribution of artistes to ethno-religious cohesion and the challenging of socio-cultural norms. Having previously taught at a range of high-level academic institutions in the UK, India, and Sri Lanka, I have developed a global perspective of teaching.
Most recently my research has been focused on business and sustainability, particularly in relation to social media. I am a member of the interdepartmental screen research group which examines all aspects of screen media and how this can benefit sustainability in business. The group brings together different schools of thought into how we can facilitate and collaborate on utilising the most of screen-based media at York St John University. Additionally, I am also part of a focus on enhancing the employability of students in cross-disciplinary efforts.
Of course, one of my most passionate interests is in marketing and social media, and I specialise in qualitative research methods and ethnography. Through my connections with lecturers across South East Asia, I have been instrumental in developing opportunities both for my students and my fellow faculty members which has resulted in 25 different conferences, papers and workshops across my academic career. The research I have developed and the academic connections I have made have also resulted in a number of project management opportunities.
I engaged in continuing professional development in research and scholarship both as a Lecturer and a Practitioner.
Publications and Conferences
Thesis
Sanjeewa, W. 2018 The performing artistes in Sri Lanka: the contribution to ethno-religious cohesion through their shaping and challenging of socio-cultural norms. PhD thesis, University of Leeds. https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/23691/
Journal articles
Sanjeewa, W. 2021. What influence do the Sri Lankan Folk theatre and Dance traditions have on Sri Lankan society? | Technium Social Sciences Journal (techniumscience.com)
Book
Sanjeewa, W. 2006 .The Study of Sri Lankan Dance and Instrumental Music as Portrayed in Sri Lankan Visual Arts , S Godage publishers , Colombo, Sri Lanka
Book chapter
Sanjeewa, W. 2009.The Social Status of Ancient Artist in Sri Lanka. In:Kumarasinghe, K. (ed), Wimal Dissanayake and the Communication World, Colombo. Sri Lanka
Book reviews
Sanjeewa, W. 2016. https://www.academia.edu/25905971/DANCE_AND_THE_NATION.
Conference presentations
Sanjeewa, W. 2007. Issues Surrounding Sri Lankan Dance Drama. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Research Symposium, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Sanjeewa, W. 2008. Kuweni Asna and Sri Lankan Kandyan Dance. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Research Symposium, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Sanjeewa, W. 2014. Dance and Gender. York St John University Postgraduate Research Methodologies Conference, UK
Sanjeewa, W. 2014. Multiplicity of Ethnic Identity and Performing Arts in the Sri Lankan Diaspora. Conference, India
Sanjeewa, W. 2015. Masculinity, Homosexuality and Contemporary male dancer, North Wales.
Sanjeewa, W. 2015. Buddhism and performing artist: Sinhala Dance, Music and Ritual. Theatre and Performance Conference University of Central Lancashire, Preston,
Sanjeewa, W. 2016.The dance school under the boo tree: the performing artist in Sri Lanka. The 3rd Global Arts and Sciences Society Conference. Paris, France.
Sanjeewa, W. 2016. Dance tradition: Bharathanatyam Dance as a medium of health and well-being. 4th International Conference of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality. Manchester, UK.
Sanjeewa, W.2016. Historical perspective of gender typed participation in the performing arts. Conference. California, USA
Sanjeewa, W.2017. Sri Lankan Performing Artiste and the concept of Cross Dressing: Goddess and Rural Women. India.
Sanjeewa, W.2019. Gender norms: When men dance. Conference, UK
Production
- 2002: Grahanaya, Sri Lanka
- 2005: Swapna, (Dream) Dance Drama Production, India
- 2005: Fundraising cultural show for the Cancer Patient, Sri Lanka
- 2006: Bhawanga, Sri Lanka
- 2014: The Other Day, Russia
- 2014: Sorry, Poland
- 2011: Tell me the truth, UK
- 2012: South Asian cultural show in aid of save the children’s campaign ‘No Child Born to Die’, York St John University, UK
- 2013: Ta ka di mi, York Theatre Royal, York, UK
- 2014: Me and H(im), Netherlands
- 2014: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Slovenia
- 2015: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Croatia
- 2015: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Austria
- 2015: 'OM', USA
- 2016: Sand, France
- 2016: Yes, I am, Belgium
- 2016: Sand, Poland
- 2017: Sri Lankan Mask Theatre, Spain
- 2017: Do Not Feed the Crow, Italy
- 2017: Footnotes, United Arab Emirates
Professional Activities
As lecturer and module leader, I have been responsible for the creation, implementation, and delivery of several key modules. This includes cross-departmental meetings to discuss best practice and the findings of the Screen research group. In addition to this, I am a member of the STEERING group which selects and shortlists students and staff for awards in their field.
I am also a strong believer in opening up pathways to Higher Education. To this end, I have helped to organise events that widen the awareness of how to enter higher education in the BMEA community, as well as support LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in Higher Education. Providing access to resources for every student to participate is at the heart of my teaching approach, so I regularly undertake courses such as Basic British Sign Language, Disability confidence and mental health awareness so I can provide the most enlightened teaching approach as possible. I have also sat on a range of committee’s to this end to enhance the access and admissions of students, support, and well-being.
Membership of professional bodies :
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
- The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- UKAT- UK Advising and Tutoring
- The British Association for the Study of Spirituality (BASS)
- The Business of Fashion
- Member: The Student Appeals and Conduct Committee, York St John University
- Member: YBS Ethics Committee
- Mentor: Fellowship of the Higher Education, UK
- Mentor : U-Connect Diversity Mentoring programme.
- Member: West and North Yorkshire Chamber Hospitality Forum Steering Group
