From Sri Lanka to Utrecht University

Droovi de Zilva, an alumnus of the Bachelor's Global Sustainability Science (GSS), followed the Energy and Materials track before continuing with a Master’s in Energy Science at Utrecht University. Today, he is a PhD candidate at Leiden University. His journey reflects how interdisciplinary education, hands-on experiences, and curiosity can shape a meaningful career in sustainability.

Born and raised in Sri Lanka, Droovi initially considered studying engineering. However, he quickly realised that a purely mathematical path didn’t quite excite him enough. Choosing Geography at A-level sparked a lasting interest in sustainability. Looking back, he explains why GSS stood out: “GSS gave the opportunity to do something with sustainability, but it was also quite broad. This was attractive for me at the time since I didn’t yet know which aspects I wanted to focus on.”

Adapting to Dutch student life

Moving to the Netherlands was a significant transition. While Droovi had some idea of the country through a Dutch friend, experiencing it firsthand required adjustment. What stood out most was the academic culture: “I found it pretty cool that students were on first name basis with the professors”. Now ten years down the line its the collaborative nature of Dutch academia he values most. “Universities actively engage with each other and their partners, creating a supportive environment for students and researchers alike.”

I found it pretty cool that students were on first name basis with the professors.

Discovering his passion within sustainability

“When I started studying I thought energy was a central meeting point of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a lot of linkages with the other areas”. But as his studies progressed, his interests evolved towards the political and goverance dimensions of sustainability. This shift highlights a core strength of GSS: the freedom to refine your interests while building a strong interdisciplinary foundation. Droovi still credits specific courses from those days for shaping his academic toolkit, offering him methods and approaches that he still uses in his research today. “Gaining those skills was important, but it’s also the mindset that the programme ingrains in you”. 

Learning beyond the classroom

Droovi’s experience at Utrecht University extended far beyond lectures. As part of the Geosciences Honours College, he could explore his academic interests through creative projects. He produced a documentary on plastic waste management in Sri Lanka and collaborated with peers on a film about the energy transition in Utrecht’s Overvecht district. He continues to bring sustainability topics to the world through his podcast, Sipping Sustainabilitea, where he interviews professionals tackling real-world challenges.

He also became involved in The Green Office, a student-led initiative focused on improving sustainability within Utrecht University. What began as volunteering evolved into a key role in the circularity team, where he helped run a thrift store, collect second-hand items, and organise awareness workshops. Reflecting on this experience, he emphasises the importance of grassroots action:”Bottom up approaches to sustainability like this are essential. The Green Office gives a platform for students with creative ideas and initiatives to come up with solutions, even thought it sometimes feels a bit uncomfortable pushing against the status quo. In the end, these efforts do make a difference”.

The Green Office gives a platform for students with creative ideas and initiatives to come up with solutions.

From student to researcher

Droovi did not initially plan an academic career. However, engaging with critical discussions and and debates during his studies gradually led him to see the solution to energy challenges as more than just technical. He illustrates this with a real-world example: “In Greenland, a Danish colony, wind turbines are being installed on Indigenous land, infringing on other people's sovereignty and creating a whole new set of social issues. You can’t only think about what’s technically possible. You also need to understand how it fits into the social and political context. This interplay is what drives my research interests right now”.

Doctoral research in circular collaboration

At Leiden University, Droovi’s PhD focuses on circular collaboration, particularly the reuse of solar panels in the Netherlands and the environmental impact of supply chains. “I'm looking at circular collaborations in building renovations in the Netherlands, particularly the re-use of solar panels in social housing”. His work combines technical knowledge with governance and supply chain analysis, an interdisciplinary approach rooted in his GSS education.

Sustainability is a great field to work in, where you can use that sense of purpose or inner voice that says ‘I want to do something good’ to actually help people.

Droovi hopes to continue in academia as a postdoctoral researcher, developing new research lines with others working at the intersection of social and material systems. He also imagines going back to Sri Lanka to conduct research some day, with one possibility to focus on opportunities to develop a circular economy in Sri Lanka’s textile industry, one of the country’s largest export sectors.

A degree with purpose

Reflecting on the sustainability job market, Droovi remains optimistic about the impact future GSS graduates can make. He emphasises the importance of purpose-driven work and interconnected thinking. “Sustainability is a great field to work in, where you can use that sense of purpose or inner voice that says ‘I want to do something good’ to actually help people. It is really about letting your principles guide you”.