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About Ruvani Fonseka

Ruvani Fonseka is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at San Jose State University.

Positions

2021 - Present Assistant Professor, San Jose State University ‐ Social Work
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Disciplines

Grants

2022 - 2024 Creating a virtual safe space for youth in Sri Lanka
Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and Oak Foundation
SVRI Knowledge for Action to End Violence Against Women and Violence Against Children Research Grant 2022
Role: Co-PI
$150,000
2019 - 2021 Understanding gender-based violence and health in Sri Lanka
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
sub-project of the GENDER Project
Role: PhD candidate researcher (dissertation research)
2019 - 2020 Adapting an evidence-based model to reduce reproductive coercion and intimate partner violence, and increase contraceptive use among Latina adolescents in southern San Diego: ARCHES Jovenes
UC San Diego Health Sciences Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute
Role: Graduate student researcher, Project Coordinator
$20,000
2019 - 2020 Understanding Reproductive Coercion in South Asian Immigrant Communities
Blue Shield of California Foundation
sub-project of Gathering Strength Initiative
Role: PI
$4,000
2017 - 2020 Reaching Married Adolescents: Improving Family Planning and Gender Equity among Married Adolescent Girls in Dosso, Niger
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation via subcontract with Pathfinder International
Role: Graduate student researcher
$1,331,924
2017 - 2019 Adaptation and Evaluation of a GBV Prevention and FP Promotion Program in Nairobi, Kenya: ARCHES Kenya
USAID and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation via subcontract with International Planned Parenthood Federation
Role: Graduate student researcher
$456,832
2017 - 2019 Adaptation and Testing of the ARCHES Intervention to Improve Reproductive Autonomy and Reproductive Health among Abortion Clients in Bangladesh
Society of Family Planning
Role: Graduate student researcher
$120,000
2017 - 2019 Evaluation of California’s Statewide Rape Prevention Education Programs
CDC via subcontract with the California Department of Public Health
Role: Graduate student researcher
$858,619
2016 - 2017 Understanding gender norms among young adults in Sri Lanka
US Fulbright Program
Role: PI
$
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2021 - Present Member, Association for Community Organization & Social Action (ACOSA)
2021 - Present Peer Reviewer, Cognella Academic Publishing
2021 - Present Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
2020 - Present Peer Reviewer, Social Science and Medicine (SSM) Journal
2020 - Present Member, Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)
2018 - Present Member, American Public Health Association (APHA)
2016 - Present Advisor, Global Health Corps
2015 - Present Peer Reviewer, PLOS ONE
2014 - Present Member, American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies (AISLS)
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Honors and Awards

  • Blue Shield Foundation – Gathering Strength Seed Funding Award for research on gender-based violence in South Asian immigrant populations in California
  • Women’s Foundation of California – Women’s Policy Institute (WPI) State Trauma Services and Prevention Team Member
  • Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) and Oak Foundation – Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Program Bursary funding to attend SVRI Forum 2019
  • San Diego State University – William R. Mundt Memorial Scholarship for International Internships
  • University of California, San Diego – Katzin Prize for top 5 incoming graduate students

Courses

  • Social Work 131: Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
  • Social Work 202: Social Welfare Policy and Services: History and Values
  • Social Work 204: Social Policy Analysis

Education

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2021 PhD, Public Health: Health Behavior, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University
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2015 MSW, Macro Social Work and Epidemology/Biostatistics, University of California - Berkeley
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2010 AB, History and Science with Certificate in Global Health and Health Policy, Harvard University
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Links

Journal Articles (9)

Conference Proceedings (1)

Other Publications (2)

Conference Presentations (20)