RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION

Dr. Pethigamage Lami Perera has made significant contributions to information research and research in information practices, with a focus on understanding the information and knowledge behind human actions, emphasizing the social aspects of processes and practices. His work has shed light on how information, knowledge, and know-how underpin social interactions, and has extended the scope of studies beyond sense-making and embodiments.

In particular, Dr. Perera's contributions in academia include active involvement in AI projects for higher education and grant applications related to Applications of Gen AI Technology in ICT Education. He is in the process of publishing a policy makers handbook for Gen AI in Higher Education, providing a comprehensive perspective for regulating AI in this domain.

Furthermore, Dr. Perera has developed a new process model for publishing called global review, and a Negative Citation index using disruptive technologies. He is also a founding member of a new blockchain process model for the Superannuation fraud detection system in Australia.

As a dedicated Socio-Tech researcher, Dr. Perera explores various topics, such as information practices research, human learning, human information behavior, and local and global information-based interactions. He is particularly interested in understanding how information is generated, flows between individuals, organizations, and locations, and how people seek, find, organize, and utilize information both online and in their daily lives.

One of his significant findings is the identification of "karmic capitalism", in modern buddhist context which extends the work of Bourdieu and Neveu. This emergence of karmic capital presents a novel perspective in information practices research, as it demonstrates the development of cultural and symbolic capitals simultaneously, encompassing collective and individual aspects, existing both in the contemporary time and the future.

Dr. Perera's research also emphasizes the notion of "site" as the context within which information practices take place, encompassing multiple dimensions such as physical space, virtual space, global and symbolic aspects, and more. This understanding helps untangle the complexities of information practices in various religious and social programs and activities.

Moreover, his methodological approach involves adopting an insider-outsider role in non-western contexts, which enables a deeper understanding of cultural norms, behaviors, and attitudes of the people being studied. This approach broadens the diversity of contexts for information practices research and provides an opportunity to test core concepts in different settings.

Additionally, Dr. Perera's research highlights the relationship between the structure of an organization, the information technologies used, and the practices of the people associated with that organization. This sociological approach contributes to the analysis of information practices and enhances the understanding of the concept of "site" in research on practices.

Furthermore, his research focuses on cultural production, consumption, and experiences, leveraging his insider knowledge and experiences to influence his outsider status as a researcher. This approach benefits the study of information practices in non-western contexts and underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding these practices.

Overall, Dr. Lami Perera's research extends the understanding of site ontologies in information practices research, offering insights into people's lives and activities through a combination of conceptual and analytical tools. His work has also demonstrated the manifestation of information practices in non-western and non-secular environments, encouraging further research in these areas. He has played a pivotal role in founding the non-western information practice research society.

Lastly, Dr. Perera is a Reviewer for MDPI Journal applied Science, Postfach, CH-4020 Basel, Switzerland, and the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS).

His innovative research approach and focus on non-western non-secular settings have opened up new avenues for information practices research and contributed significantly to the field.