Overview

In 2019 Deborah was invited to return to her alumna University so that Exeter students can experience and benefit from her considerable knowledge and experience in Negotiation, Influence and Conflict Resolution. She is an applied, practical academic whose career has seen her draw upon her academic knowledge to develop applied skills courses and training for student-practitioners. She produces and delivers informative, lively and engaging sessions to build informed skill sets. 

Her doctorate is in applied Negotiation, and she studied for this at the Department of Politics at the University of Reading (2002). Her ground-breaking research in negotiation in conflict contexts has been described as seminal by national and international academics, and as the leading authority in this context. She lectured in multiple aspects of Leadership at RMA Sandhurst for 25 years, and from 2012-2019 as Head of the Communication and Applied Behavioural Science Department there.

She also writes, creates and runs training exercises for groups up to 100 strong, which allow delegates to experience complex and ambiguous real-world contexts, and to apply practical frameworks for professional decision-making, problem-solving and negotiating.

In 2007 she was named as 'an extraordinary woman' working in the field of conflict resolution by PeaceDirect NGO, UK.

In 2009 the United Nations awarded her a Commendation in recognition of her voluntary negotiation work since 2000. This is a rare accolade for a civilian. 

In 2013 she was elected to the Board of the Jean Monnet Association, Paris, and remains the first UK academic ever to have been awarded this distinction. (The Association recognises contributions in the international field of diplomacy).

She is also a qualified crisis negotiator and was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours 2017.

In July 2019 she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree by the University of Reading. This distinction is in recognition of her significant work in the field of negotiation and diplomacy. 

Deborah delivers mainly on Senior Leader Modules in the Degree Apprenticeship Department, UEBS, and Senior People Professional Modules. She also delivers Masterclasses in negotiation, influence and mediation for the Chartered Manager (level 6) course, the Exeter MBA, and Exeter Medical School.  She focusses on negotiation, influence, conflict resolution, leadership and communication applied learning for our executive and PG students.

Deborah is also the Programme Director for the GEMBA Master in Defence and Space and the deliverer of the GEMBA Negotiation Module

GEMBA: Defence and Space - Study at UniSA - University of South Australia

In 2020 she was a finalist for the University of Exeter Student Guild 'Inspirational Teaching' award (nominated by students). In 2023 she was nominated for the ESE academic of the year award.

Qualifications

PhD (2002) University of Reading (Negotiation research)

DLitt (Hon) University of Reading (2019)

Masters in Education

MA (English)

BA Hons (Exon) History, English and Philosophy

Qualified Crisis negotiator

ATP  'Student Voice' Degree Apprenticeships

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Research

Research interests

My research interests centre on analysing the behavioural aspects of Negotiation and Influence, particularly in stressful contexts.

In addition, assessing the core behaviours in persuasive and influencing contexts, and analysing these complexities to gauge viable option creation.

Creator and Manager of Senior Leaders Alumni hub- 'Learning Leaders Hub' (2021)- lifelong learning opportunity

Visiting Fellowships

I have also been a Visiting Honorary Fellow at the University of Reading, and the University of Bradford

Visiting Fellow at the Pearson Peacekeeping academic centre, Nova Scotia, Canada

Associate Professor (Hon) University of Exeter 2018-21

2022 ATP 'Student Voice' Degree Apprenticeships

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards and Honours

OBE (2017)

UN Commendation

DLitt (Hon)   University of Reading 2019

Commandant RMA Sandhurst Special Recognition and Thanks (2019)

Member of University's Military Education Committee

Collaborating on SEED Project for Innovation, Impact and Business

Finalist 'Inspirational teaching' award 2020 Students Guild

Nominee for ESE Academic of the year 2023  Students Guild

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Teaching

Negotiation, Influence, Communication skills, Leadership, and Human Behaviour

Programme Director GEMBA Master in Defence and Space (Exeter)

and

GEMBA Negotiation skills Module delivery

Degree Apprenticeship Modules​

• Negotiation and Influence lectures on DA programmes
• BEMM259DA Senior Leaders Masters top-up elective-  'The Influential Leader'   

Masterclass lectures (across Faculties)

Themes: Negotiation, Influencing, Understanding Others, Human Behaviour

​UEBS MBA

• Negotiation skills Workshop

• Mediation skills Workshop

• MBA elective option: MBAM967B 'Applied Skills:becoming an effective negotiator'

Guest lectures- Medical School, UEBS et.al

Modules

2023/24

• BEMM259DA - The Influential Leader
• MBAM854 - Applied skills: Becoming an effective Negotiator/influencer
• MBAM967B - Applied Skills: Becoming an Effective Negotiator

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Office Hours:

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