Dr Assela Pathirana is an Associate Professor at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, with current focus in the two areas of water infrastructure asset management and the climate resilience of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). His work in infrastructure asset management focuses on the sustainable planning, operation, and maintenance of water systems, ensuring their long-term functionality and efficiency. His research on SIDS addresses the fit-for-purpose design and sustainability of water infrastructure for small islands, exploring solutions for water security and climate adaptation in these vulnerable environments. His broader research and professional engagement span infrastructure sustainability, climate adaptation, and applied hydrology, with a particular emphasis on long-term resilience and risk-informed decision-making.

Since 2006, Dr Pathirana has been actively engaged in water infrastructure asset management (WIAM) education and research. He developed the WIAM curriculum at IHE Delft and has delivered in-house courses and training in over twenty countries, collaborating with professionals, policymakers, and water organisations to implement structured asset management frameworks. His strives to ensure that infrastructure investments are not only well-designed but also systematically maintained, preventing cycles of neglect and costly reconstruction. His research explores digitalisation, data-driven decision-making, and nature-based solutions, advancing contemporary approaches to infrastructure sustainability and risk-based planning.

Beyond asset management, Dr Pathirana has played a key role in enhancing the climate resilience of SIDS, recognising these nations as critical testing grounds for global adaptation strategies. He led the development of a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on SIDS, broadening access to targeted expertise in water security, infrastructure planning, and climate adaptation. Through regional seminars, workshops, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, he has worked with scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to shape strategic, evidence-based solutions for sustainable water management in island nations. His editorial contributions and research publications highlight the potential of SIDS as “living laboratories”, providing insights that inform global adaptation policies.

With a broad interdisciplinary background, Dr Pathirana’s expertise extends beyond asset management and climate adaptation. His research in hydrological modelling, open-source software development for water management, and civil engineering applications supports the development of sustainable and resilient water systems. His technical skills, combined with extensive applied research, have contributed to the creation of decision-support tools and predictive models, enhancing infrastructure planning and operational efficiency.

His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (First Class Honours) from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He later earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in civil engineering, specialising in hydrology and water resources engineering at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Following his doctoral studies, he held research positions at globally recognised institutions, including the United Nations University and UNESCO-ICHARM, where he contributed to international water security and disaster risk reduction initiatives. Between 2020 and 2022, he served as Chief Technical Advisor – Water Engineering for the Ministry of Environment of the Maldives and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), focusing on climate adaptation strategies for the Maldives’ outer island water systems.

In addition to his work in infrastructure and climate adaptation, Dr Pathirana has made significant contributions to postgraduate education and capacity building, particularly in didactics and pedagogy for technical disciplines. He has published peer-reviewed research on educational methodologies and has conducted training-of-trainers programmes, equipping educators with advanced pedagogical techniques to improve postgraduate learning. His efforts aim to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of postgraduate education, ensuring that academic programmes produce graduates with both theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.

As an educator, researcher, and consultant, Dr Pathirana continues to engage in collaborative projects that integrate science, policy, and practice in water management, climate resilience, and higher education. His work underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making, transparency, and sustainability principles, contributing to more resilient infrastructure systems and the advancement of education for future water professionals.