Kanchana is speaking at the world air transport summit and is stood behind a podium on stage giving a speech. The screen behind her is blue and she has long black hair.

Kanchana Gamage

Senior Lecturer Aviation Management
Course Leader Pilot Programmes
London Geller College of Hospitality and Tourism
kanchana.gamage@uwl.ac.uk

Having started her career in education, Kanchana leads initiatives to encourage women and girls and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider a career in aviation and aerospace. She is passionate about teaching across Aviation degrees and supporting students who have chosen the Pilot Programmes. She previously worked for the Civil Aviation Authority supporting the Skills Outreach Programmes in conjunction with the Department for Transport.

Having been a Headteacher and a Lecturer in Education she combined her experience and passion for aviation as a Private Pilot to launch The Aviatrix Project in 2015. She believes that role models are key to changing the landscape. The Aviatrix project offers sustainable, long-term outreach to ensure that there is a pipeline of diverse talent into the industry. As part of the project Kanchana works closely with primary and secondary schools in the UK as well as higher education institutions to encourage STEM education. The project also offers flights, bursaries and a mentoring program for aspiring pilots as well as support for parents.

Kanchana's research interests are in the intersectionality of race and gender in education and she is currently an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport.

  • Qualifications

    • MEd Leading Teaching and Learning, University of Cambridge, 2015
    • National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), National College for School Leadership, 2011
    • BA Primary Education, University of Surrey, Roehampton, 2004

  • Awards

    IATA Diversity & Inclusion High Flyer Award 2022
    Royal Aeronaitual Society Specialist Award 2021
    The Air League Framed Address 2022
    STEM Learning Outstanding contribution to Widening Participation in Diversity & Inclusion in STEM - Highly Commended 2022

  • Memberships

    SFHEA (Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy)

Teaching

Kanchana has taught across a number of Education and Leadership programmes. she began her academic career at Anglia Ruskin University as a Senior Lecturer in Education leading the Primary PGCE Programme. Subsequently, she was the Programme Leader for the MEd Leading Teaching and Learning at the University of Hertfordshire.

Courses taught on