Leela Viswanathan, PhD, RPP, FCIP (she/her/hers)
Our expert-led courses enable you to do inclusive research effectively, from design to implementation, and stay on the path of research excellence.
Your Instructor
Leela Viswanathan, PhD, RPP, FCIP (she/her/hers)
Hello! I’m Leela! I am an expert researcher and practitioner in applying equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles and approaches to research. I am motivated to support researchers to apply EDI principles to why and how they do their research and to what they research. I support researchers to keep alive their passion for inclusive research excellence and for having impact. I self-identify as a cisgender woman of South Asian descent. For over twenty years, I’ve been applying EDI principles and approaches to my own research practice, first as a community-based researcher and planner, followed by policy analyst and planning roles in not-for-profit and government sectors, then as a tenured university professor in Geography and Planning, and now, as a consultant. I’ve had success in leading and collaborating on multiple research projects supported by Tri-Agency (Canada) funding programs, and have supervised many Highly Qualified Professionals (HQP). I’ve received awards for building inclusive approaches to academic research and policy interventions by the American Association of Geographers, and for fostering equitable planning approaches and inclusive pedagogy by the Canadian Institute of Planners. Equity, diversity, and inclusion principles continue to inform everything that I do.
Welcome to the online learning portal at Viswali Consulting
Course Offerings
Invest in your professional development through our online course offerings. Learn at your own pace and according to your own schedule.
Foundations in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for Researchers
Designed for researchers at any career stage and level of experience with EDI principles, our signature course covers the basics of applying EDI approaches to research design and research practice. It delivers concrete ways to apply EDI principles at every stage of a research cycle and shows you how to create inclusive research environments, and build and sustain diverse and inclusive research teams. Apply what you learn directly to your to your current research project and your next research grant application.
Course content includes:
- Three modules
- Instructional videos with audio (i.e., screencasts), close captioning, and transcripts
- Quizzes to support your learning
- Downloadable worksheets and resource lists
- Certificate of Completion
- Access to the course for 6 months (i.e., 180 days)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Knowledge Mobilization for Research Impact
This course is for all knowledge users – anyone contributing to creating, applying, and sharing research knowledge, including people with lived or living experiences outside of academia. You will build on the basics of applying EDI principles in research and learn how to engage with diverse knowledge users, plan for accessible and inclusive knowledge mobilization activities, and achieve research impact. Build your knowledge mobilization plan using the EDI and Knowledge Mobilization Checklist.
Course content includes:
- Two modules
- Instructional videos with audio (i.e., screencasts), close captioning, and transcripts
- Quizzes to support your learning
- Downloadable worksheet with “EDI and Knowledge Mobilization Checklist”
- Downloadable resource list
- Certificate of Completion
- Access to the course for 4 months (i.e., 120 days)
Bundle and Save!
You save when you buy the Inclusive Researcher Course Bundle, which consists of the signature “Foundations in EDI for Researchers” course and the “EDI and Knowledge Mobilization for Research Impact” courses. Together, these courses create a path for you to do inclusive research from start to finish.
Bulk Licensing for Research Teams and Institutions
Benefit from group discounts! Purchase course licenses for your whole team or institution and invest in the professional development of the next generation of inclusive researchers. Enhance researchers’ track records of engagement with EDI principles and support the leadership of EDI champions across research disciplines. Fill out the Interest to Purchase Form to let us know about your needs.