The Centre for Inclusive Societies (CIST) is envisioned as a dynamic extension of the work on freedom of expression, digital rights and environmental justice pioneered by Media Law Forum (MLF). CIST plans to expand its established strengths in media law, international engagement, and environmental journalism into a broader interdisciplinary platform focused on equity, inclusion, and Global South collaboration. Building on MLF’s legacy, CIST will serve as a hub for research, dialogue, and capacity-building among social scientists, writers, artists and activists who would amplify perspectives and solutions emerging from South–South contexts.
CIST aims to foster interdisciplinary approaches on inclusive policy frameworks, academia, ethical research practices, and sustainable development. By connecting scholars, practitioners, journalists, and civil society actors across the Global South, the Centre will promote knowledge exchange that is grounded in local realities yet globally relevant. Through training programs, collaborative research, and public engagement, CIST seeks to nurture informed, inclusive societies where diverse voices shape narratives, policies, and futures. CIST is also in the process of starting an e-journal in coming future based on its broader agenda.
Lead Researchers
Dr. Pooja Kalita is trained as a sociologist and has received her PhD from South Asian University (New Delhi, India). She was awarded a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from Central European University Democracy Institute’s (CEU DI) ‘Global Forum for Democracy and Development’ and was affiliated to its South Asia Hub at Social Scientists’ Association (SSA) in Sri Lanka. She was also a Research Fellow with the project – ‘Heritage as Placemaking: The Politics of Solidarity and Erasure in South Asia’ funded by Riksbanken Jubileumsfond (Sweden). Her research in the areas of everyday democracy, heritage studies, gender studies, sociology of food and visual methods extends across academic writing, photography, short-films, and public scholarship. Her work is published in leading journal and book volumes from renowned publishers such as – Routledge, Sage, Palgrave Macmillan, Springer etc.
Dr. Aruna Jayasena completed his PhD in Sociology in 2025 from South Asian University, where he also earned his M.Phil. in 2022. He holds an M.A. in Political Science (2015) from University of Colombo and a B.A. (Hons) in Political Science (2003) from Hindu College – University of Delhi. Jayasena has professional experience in both the development and advertising sectors. Alongside this, he has had a long-standing engagement with the Sri Lankan theatre scene, serving as a theatre stage manager for over two decades. He has also built a parallel career as a freelance graphic designer and documentary filmmaker. His research interests span neoliberalism, public culture, labour studies, urban history, and the sociology of food. He is currently a visiting lecturer at the University of Colombo – Sripalee Campus, University of Peradeniya, and the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.