Viswali Consulting

At Viswali Consulting, we take a human-centred approach to collaborating with academic institutions, governments, community-based organizations, and individuals, to build inclusive policies and plans, and facilitate individual and systems change with lasting results.

We offer services in career mentoring; equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) professional development; planning and policy advice for systems change; research and writing; and public speaking. Equity, diversity, and inclusion inform everything that we do.

Online Courses in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for Researchers

These are your go-to online professional development courses to cultivate and enhance your skills and competencies in applying equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles to your research designs and practices. The courses are for researchers across all disciplines, espcially interdisciplinary researchers, and at any career stage.

The Foundations in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for Researchers is our signature course. Learn to apply EDI principles to your research designs; draw from practical examples and expert tips to create inclusive research environments; and build and sustain diverse and inclusive research teams.

The EDI and Knowledge Mobilization for Research Impact course builds on your foundational skills in applying EDI principles and approaches to your research. Learn to plan for accessible and inclusive knowledge mobilization activities, and achieve research impact

Each course includes instructional videos supported by close captioning and transcripts, downloadable worksheets and resource lists, quizzes, and a certificate of completion that celebrates your achievement.

Taught by award-winning researcher and EDI practitioner, Dr. Leela Viswanathan, the Founder of Viswali Consulting, let these courses support you on your path to improving research excellence.

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Our Services:

Career Mentoring
Individualized career mentoring and forward-thinking leadership advice, specializing in support for early and mid-career professionals, academics, and almost anyone in a life transition.
Professional Development in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) for Researchers
Online courses and training workshops on embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in research design and research practices for college and university researchers, and their community partners.
Planning and Policy Advice for Systems Change
Expert advice and strategic leadership for systems change, including:
- Developing solutions to complex problems through collaborative human-centred planning and policy.
- Strengthening cross-cultural relationship building in community development, policy, and planning.
- Promoting the entry, retention, and inclusion of diverse candidates and practitioners in planning and allied professions;
- Supporting colleges and universities to achieve inclusive research excellence;
- Enhancing the graduate student experience in post-secondary education.
Research and Writing
Narratives about big ideas (e.g., climate change; planning inclusive futures; cross-cultural relationship building; values-driven practice; anti-racism; etc) for professional and academic audiences, and the general public. Researching areas that deserve clarity by drawing from skills in qualitative and evidence-based planning and policy research, deep curiosity, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Public Speaking
Delivering captivating keynotes and facilitating focused conversations, in person and online, to captivate diverse audiences, and encourage reflection, deeper connection, and action.

Let us help you to plan with purpose and design change.

Testimonials

Leela has a unique talent for connecting with individuals at all levels, creating a cohesive environment that encourages open dialogue and mutual respect. Above all, Leela’s commitment to genuine collaboration stands out. Leela has become a trusted partner in our mission to create a more equitable and inclusive research culture at Ontario colleges.

Krista Holmes, Associate Vice-President, Research & Innovation, George Brown College;
Robyn Saaltink, Executive Director, Research & External Innovation, St, Lawrence College

Leela is a skilled listener whose greatest superpower is the ability to see the best in everyone. In our time working together, she helped me to set personal, professional, and academic goals, create an individualized plan that was appropriate to me and my circumstances, and facilitated the self-growth, personal development and skills training required to follow through.

Rebecca Tan, Policy Advisor

Leela’s approach to developing Task Force recommendations with our members evolved as we dynamically worked towards our end goal. Her ability to, thoughtfully and strategically, determine the necessary changes to our process and timeline, can absolutely be attributed to our success.

Susan Wiggins, Executive Director, OPPI

What stands out for me working with Leela is that she obviously values the work of practitioners and community members. She finds ways to help that honour the position and circumstance of her partners and doesn’t try to apply a particular structure or theory that suits her best. Rather, she listens to what partners need and want and offers what she can that meets those needs. Leela establishes true partnerships, and leverages her resources and networks to serve the community. Leela shows you what is possible when you have the right partner: she keeps the fire lit for you.

Ellyn Clost-Lambert, Community Research Professional