She attended Ryerson University to study design and media arts, and Royal Roads to study leadership and learning. Deborah’s research and teaching interests include design theory and research, human-centred designing, and learning theory for design development. Many of her students have won design awards and scholarships. In addition to her teaching practice Deborah is a published designer, writer and photographer. As a co-recipient of curriculum and social science research grants she has developed projects for the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and the BC Ministry of Education. Deborah is one of the founding editors of Current, the university’s design journal, and one of several NSERC-funded researchers looking into design initiatives for the health care sector. She is a professional member of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada.