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.

In 2020 she was a finalist for the University of Exeter Student Guild 'Inspirational Teaching' award (nominated by students). This nomination was a huge honour, and humbling.

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