About
I am an experienced and dedicated academic with a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. Within Derby International Business School, I actively engage in teaching, research, and knowledge exchange activities.
I possess varied industry experience, including active involvement in the initiation of both social and commercial ventures.
Teaching responsibilities
I teach in the areas of business and enterprise/entrepreneurship. Examples of modules that I lead/teach include:
- Enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation (UG and PG)
- Leadership and Management (PG)
- Business research methods(UG and PG)
Research supervision (Masters, PhD/DBA)
- Currently supervising four doctoral scholars.
Research interests
Key research interests:
- Entrepreneurial education and entrepreneur development practices
- Entrepreneurship
Other research interests:
- Educational implications of entrepreneurship research and practices, and design thinking and innovation are my other research interest areas.
Recent conferences
Conference papers/presentations
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Rajasinghe, D., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Ilonen, S. and Gilman, M. (2025). Deepening our understanding of coaching and mentoring practice of Entrepreneurs in Residence in higher education. Presented at the UFHRD Conference 2025, Ulster University, Belfast, 11-13 June
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Ilonen, S., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Rajasinghe, D. and Gilman, M. (2025). The Dark Side of Practitioner-Integration: Perspectives of Practitioners and Faculty Members. Presented at the 3E Conference – ECSB Entrepreneurship Education Conference 2025, HM Munich University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany, 21-23 May
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McLuskie, P., Draycott, M., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Mave, M., Zeineb, D., Todt, G. and Unger, V., Self-Assessment Tools in Entrepreneurship Education. Presented at the British Academy of Management (BAM) conference (2024 September 02-06)
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Rajasinghe, D. and Ilonen, S. (2023) Facilitating Entrepreneurial Learning: a closer look at ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’ Initiative in Higher Education - Presented at the 3E ECSB (European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship) Entrepreneurship Education Conference, Aarhus, Denmark (2023 May 10-12)
- Rogers-Draycott, M.C., Smith, K., Bozward, D., Mave, M., Curtis, V., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Moon, R. and Adams, N. (2021) Measuring Impacts in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education, What Works? Practitioner Development Workshop, Leuphana Transformation Entrepreneurship Days. Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany (2021, 21-23 September)
- Rogers, M., Smith, K., Adams, N., Bozward, D., Curtis, V., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Moon, R. and Mave, M. (2020). Assessing the Impacts of Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Education. Presented at the International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (IEEC Online 2020). 9-11 September
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Curtis, V. and Moon, R. (2019). Enhancing creative confidence through interdisciplinarity, peer teaching and competition. Presented at the Festival of Learning 2019, University of Derby (Buxton campus), Buxton. UK. 01 July
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Rajasinghe, D. (2019). Developing Graduate Entrepreneurs: Exploring the Experiences of University Entrepreneurs in Residence: Presented at the University Forum for Human Resource Development - UFHRD conference 2019, Nottingham Trent University - Nottingham Business School, UK, 24-26 June
- Herbert J., Aluthgama-Baduge C., Curtis V. and Moon R. (2018), Knowledge exchange: what do businesses learn via engaging with business schools? Presented at the URSS Conference 2018, University of Derby, 4 October
- Curtis, V., Moon, R. and Aluthgama-Baduge, C. (2018), The impact of 'paying' students to attend class, Presented at the 13th International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (IEEC2018), Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, 5-7 September
- Rajasinghe, D., Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Mulholland, G. (2018), Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as an Entrepreneurship Research Methodology, Presented at the 25th Eurasia Business and Economics Society (EBES) Conference, FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management, Berlin, 23-25 May
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Mulholland, G. (2015), Educating for enterprise: an inquiry into the role of lecturing and its influence on students' entrepreneurial development, Presented at the Postgraduate Research Student Conference, Abertay University, Dundee, 12 November
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Mulholland, G. (2014), Developing entrepreneurs: Can British business schools adapt their teaching model to meet the challenge?, Presented at the 3rd ISMO Conference, University of Greenwich (Greenwich Business School), 8-9 December
- Mulholland, G., Turner, J., Smith, H. and Aluthgama-Baduge, C. (2014), Knowledge exchange & business acumen: What business schools can learn from school children, Presented at the 3rd ISMO Conference, University of Greenwich (Greenwich Business School), 8-9 December
- Rajasinghe, D. and Aluthgama-Baduge, C. (2013), Solutions for Energy Security Issues Through Leadership Development - Sri Lankan Context as a Role Model for South Asian Region, Presented at the Online Energy Symposium of South Asia, 16 December
Experience in industry
My industry experience encompasses a range of sectors, with nearly two years in banking and finance, and nine years in hospitality, travel, and tourism. During this time, I've worked with various organizations, from local organisations to multinational corporations. Additionally, I've played an active role in initiating both social and commercial ventures. I started my career in higher education in 2013.
International experience
I have experienced higher education in England, Scotland, Sri Lanka and Germany whilst living and working there. In addition, I have initiated, led, and contributed to several research projects and initiatives with international collaborators. These collaborations have involved practitioners, researchers, and policymakers from countries such as Sri Lanka, Scotland, Finland, Germany, India, and the Middle East.
Additional interests and activities
Knowledge exchange and related activities
- Innovate for Rail project.
Co-lead the impact assessment of Innovate 4 Rail. Funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Innovate 4 Rail is a collaborative project between the University of Derby, the University of Birmingham and Rail Forum Midlands.
- A session on the importance of Qualitative Research (2018) – National Schools of Business Management (NSBM) Green University, Sri Lanka.
The session, co-designed and co-delivered with a colleague from University of Northampton, aimed to enhance the understanding of qualitative research among the academics at NSBM.
- A session on Enhancing Scholarly Confidence in Conducting Qualitative Research (2024) - OB, HRM and Leadership research cluster, University of Derby.
The session, co-designed and co-delivered with colleagues from the University of Derby and Nottingham Trent University, aimed to enhance the understanding of qualitative research among academics in the research cluster.
- A session on Entrepreneurship Education: Trend, Teaching Approaches, and Research (2024) for Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka.
The session, co-designed and co-delivered with colleagues from the University of Liverpool, Birmingham City University, and The University of Buckingham, aimed to share entrepreneurship education and research insights with the academics of Uva Wellassa University.
- A session on Empowering Performing Arts Graduates for Career Success (2024) for the University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Sri Lanka
The session, co-designed and co-delivered with a practitioner (Head of Procurement at Mobitel Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka), aimed to offer University of Visual and Performing Arts students practical insights for navigating their career paths.
SERVICE
Doctoral Examiner - I serve as an examiner for doctoral candidates.
External Examiner - I am an external examiner at the University of Roehampton for MSc Education Leadership and Management, MSc Applied Leadership and Management and PG Diploma in Applied Leadership Management.
Reviewer
Journals
International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Human Resource Development International
Education + Training
Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research & Practice
Conferences
Reviewer, British Academy of Management Conference
Reviewer, RENT Conference
Reviewer, Academy of Management Conference
In 2019, my creativity and innovation module students won a UK national competition organised by UK Space Agency. The winners and I were interviewed by BBC Derby.
Recent publications
Journal articles and other papers
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Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Rajasinghe, D., Ilonen, S., & Gilman, M. (2025). Facilitating entrepreneurship in higher education through practitioner integration: a closer look at the “entrepreneur in residence” initiative.
International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research,
31(8), 2008–2026.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-08-2023-0905
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Rajasinghe, D. Mansour, H. and Mulholland, G. (2023) Educating for Entrepreneurial Leadership: from didacticism to co-creation. International Review of Entrepreneurship. Vol. 21 No. 02. pp. 295-320.
- Bozward, D., Draycott, M., Smith, K., Mave, M., Curtis, V., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Moon R. and Adams, N. (2023). Exploring the Outcomes of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education in UK HEI’s: An Excellence Framework Perspective. Industry and Higher Education. Vol. 37 No. 03, pp. 345-358.
- Bozward D., Rogers-Draycott, M., Smith, K., Mave, M., Curtis, V., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Moon, R., and Adams, N. (2021) The Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education on Regional Development. Presented at: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Conference, Cardiff (2021, October, 28-29). ISBN: 978-1-900862-33-2
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Rajasinghe, D. (2019). Developing Graduate Entrepreneurs: Exploring the Experiences of University Entrepreneurs in Residence. [Working paper]. University Forum for Human Resource Development (UFHRD) conference 2019, 24-26 June, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham, pp. 17-27
Book chapters
- Rajasinghe, D., Ilonen, S., Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Gilman, M. (in press). Opportunities and challenges of practitioner integration: unravelling entrepreneurs in residence initiative in entrepreneurship education. In R. J. Crammond et al. (Ed.) Applied Practices and Emerging Perspectives towards Entrepreneurship Education: Approaches, Outcomes, and Advances, Cheltenham, Edward Elgar Publishing.
- Aluthgama-Baduge C. and Rajasinghe D. (2022) Exploring Entrepreneurial Diversity: A Fascination or Frustration?. In Leitão J., Ratten V. (eds) Strategic Innovation: Research Perspectives on Entrepreneurship and Resilience. Springer, Cham. pp. 35-45.
- Aluthgama-Baduge, C. and Mulholland, G. (2019), Are the dominant teaching theories in higher education adequate to underpin teaching practices in enterprise and entrepreneurship context? In G. Mulholland and J. Turner (eds.), Enterprising Education in UK Higher Education: Theory, Policy and Practice, Oxon, Routledge.
Policy and professional publications
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Rajasinghe, D., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Ilonen, S. and Gilman, M. (2025) Boosting the Role of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, AACSB Insights, https://www.aacsb.edu/insights/articles/2025/04/boosting-the-role-of-entrepreneurs-in-residence
- Smith, K., Bozward, D., Draycott, M., Mave, M., Curtis, V., Aluthgama-Baduge, C., Moon R. and Adams, N. (2020). Assessing the Impact of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Education: Literature and Policy Project Report. Enterprise Educators UK.
