The OER of IIRS is founded by Nishita Rao, an independent transdisciplinary researcher. Nishita holds a Master of Science in Neuroscience with a focus on Behavioral Neuroendocrinology and a Bachelor of Engineering in Biotechnology, specializing in Brain-Computer Interfaces and Biochemistry. Her extensive academic and professional training spans a wide array of fields, including Sexual Sciences, Neuroscience, Anthropology, Molecular Biology, Behavioral Sciences, Political Science, Linguistics, Dance Ethnography, Ethnomusicology, and Paleoclimatology.

Nishita’s work is driven by a commitment to challenge colonial architectures in knowledge production and dissemination. Through OER, she aims to create a space for research that is decolonial, anti-carceral, and anti-diagnostic, centering marginalized voices and perspectives. Her research philosophy is grounded in transdisciplinary synthesis, embodied inquiry, and anarchical resistance to traditional institutional frameworks.

METHODOLOGY

OER employs a transdisciplinary and mixed-methods approach to research, reflecting the complexity of human behavior. The platform does not adhere to a single methodological framework, instead drawing from a variety of qualitative and quantitative approaches as appropriate for the research question at hand. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Qualitative Methods: Discourse analysis, focus groups, surveys and in-depth interviews.
  • Quantitative Methods: Data Mining, Statistical analysis and modeling.
  • Archival and Textual Analysis: Philological examination of historical texts, critical discourse analysis, and genealogical tracing of concepts across languages and time periods.
  • Meta-Analysis and Literature Synthesis: Systematic review and integration of existing research across neuroscience, molecular biology, and behavioral sciences to identify patterns and generate new theoretical frameworks.
  • Ethnographic and Cultural Analysis: Examination of cultural practices (rituals, poetry, art, sculpture) and performance traditions (plays, dances and music) through ethnographic methods, comparative cultural analysis, and art historical inquiry.
  • Historical and Political Contextualization: Situating human behavior within specific historical moments, political structures, and post-colonial contexts to understand how power shapes experience.
  • Embodied and Somatic Inquiry: Centering lived experience and somatic practices
  • Epistemological Critique: Interrogating how knowledge is produced, validated, and disseminated, with particular attention to challenging Western-centric and dominant Caste/Class/Race frameworks
  • Interdisciplinary Correlation: Drawing connections between seemingly disparate fields (e.g., paleoclimatology, archaeology, molecular biology, neuroscience and political science) to generate novel insights.

This methodological flexibility allows for a nuanced and contextual understanding of Human behavior.

OER hosts multiple courses at different stages of development. Courses span a range of disciplinary intersections and their research scope would be listed in the course descriptions. Courses are listed publicly under the OER index and are organized by thematic and disciplinary focus. Courses may differ in scope, materials, analytic approach, and stage of completion. OER does not require uniform course design across courses and does not present all courses as empirical or experimental in nature. Course descriptions indicate disciplinary orientation to support transparency.

HOW TO CITE

To cite the course descriptions in your work, please use the following format:

| Rao, N. (Year). [Insert Course Name]. Open Education Resource, Institute for Intersectional Relational Studies. [Insert DOI]

For specific projects, please refer to the citation information provided on the individual project pages.

DISCLAIMER

  • Independent Status: The OER arm of IIRS is an independent initiative and is not affiliated with any university, institution, or funding body.
  • Non-Clinical Nature: OER is a repository and does not provide any clinical, therapeutic, or diagnostic services