Donnell Nicholas

Dr. Donnell Nicholas is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Communication & Media Studies at SLTC. With over a decade of academic and industry experience, he specializes in digital communication, media research, and technology-enhanced learning. His work focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical communication frameworks and practical digital applications in higher education.

He has contributed extensively to interdisciplinary research projects involving artificial intelligence, digital literacy, and online audience behaviour. Dr. Nicholas actively collaborates with local and international institutions to promote innovative educational practices and impactful community outreach initiatives.

In addition to his academic responsibilities, he mentors undergraduate research projects, supervises media production activities, and regularly conducts workshops on digital communication strategies and ethical media practices. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and practical problem-solving skills to prepare students for the evolving digital landscape.

• PhD in Media and Communication Studies, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (2019)
• Master of Arts in Digital Communication, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka (2014)
• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Mass Communication, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka (2011)
• Certificate in Higher Education Teaching Practices, Commonwealth of Learning (2016)

• Digital Media and Society
• Social Media Analytics
• E-Learning Technologies
• Media Literacy and Communication Ethics
• Artificial Intelligence in Education
• Audience Behaviour and Digital Consumption

• Nicholas, D. (2023). The Impact of Digital Media Literacy on Undergraduate Learning Outcomes. Journal of Communication Research, 12(3), 45–58.
• Nicholas, D., & Fernando, P. (2022). Social Media Engagement Patterns Among Sri Lankan Youth. Asian Media Studies Review, 8(1), 22–37.
• Nicholas, D. (2021). Integrating AI Tools into Higher Education Classrooms. International Journal of Educational Technology, 5(4), 88–101.
• Nicholas, D. (2020). Ethical Challenges in Online Journalism. Media and Ethics Quarterly, 14(2), 63–74.

• Principal Investigator — AI-Driven Student Engagement Monitoring System (2023–Present)
• Co-Researcher — Digital Literacy Enhancement for Rural Communities funded by the Ministry of Education (2021–2022)
• Lead Consultant — Social Media Behaviour Analysis During National Elections (2020)

• Best Research Paper Award — International Conference on Digital Education (2023)
• Excellence in Teaching Award — SLTC Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences (2022)
• Recipient of the Young Academic Leadership Fellowship (2021)
• Recognized for Outstanding Contribution to Student Mentorship Programs (2020)