Ananda earned his Ph.D. in Strategic Management (Interdisciplinary) from the University of Queensland, where he received the prestigious Outstanding HDR Award. Before joining the University of Wollongong (UOW), he worked at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, the Institute of Technology in New Zealand, and Central Queensland University. He currently teaches a range of subjects including Strategy, Design Thinking & Business Transformation, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Organisational Analysis, Leadership, Interdisciplinary Studies in Management, and International Business, with a focus on Global Business Strategy.

With over 20 years of experience in higher education across five universities in four countries, Ananda is driven by a passion for active and transformative learning. His research is qualitative and interdisciplinary, with a critical focus on identity, power, politics, social entrepreneurship, international business, strategy, and societal and organizational inequality.

In addition to his academic work, Ananda brings practical industry experience as a consultant and trainer in design thinking, strategic planning, and entrepreneurship. His diverse expertise in both academia and industry allows him to provide a holistic approach to teaching and research, bridging theory and practice effectively. He is also the co-author of the book Design Thinking Applications and Challenges for Modern Business (2026), which explores how design thinking can be applied to contemporary business problems, innovation, and strategic decision-making in modern organizations. The book examines both the practical applications and implementation challenges of design thinking across areas such as product development, service design, management science, and sustainable business practices (Design Thinking Applications and Challenges for Modern Business: 9798337330389: Business & Management Books | IGI Global Scientific Publishing).