The BCcampus Research Fellows program provides support for B.C. post-secondary educators to conduct research on improving student learning and to share their results and experiences with peers in B.C. and beyond.
Project Lead/Fellow: Valeria Cortés
Institution: Royal Roads University
Project Title: Navigating the Waters of Collective Leadership
Research Focus: The project delves into the outcomes of the Professional Project Administrator (PPA) Collective Leadership course, an online initiative of Royal Roads University in collaboration with Indigenous communities in B.C. and Alberta. Rooted in Indigenous Knowledges, the Collective Leadership course stands out for its positive influence on learners. The study, involving learners, instructors, researchers, and partners, explores relationships fostering collective leadership for Indigenous resurgence and assesses the course’s impact pedagogically. The research aims to inform effective education and development initiatives, which will make it valuable for those involved in culturally relevant programming in higher education and community settings.
Biography: Valeria Cortés is a practitioner/scholar who loves to co-create inclusive learning spaces where all can learn from each other, feel connected, and be inspired to effect positive change. Originally from Mexico, Val draws from her lived experience as a culturally and linguistically diverse educator in Canada. Her research interests intersect with the fields of leadership studies, applied theatre, curriculum and instruction, and systems change. She is particularly interested in studying ways to naturalize Nahua teachings in leadership education.