As a scholar on corporate social responsibility (CSR), Debbie initiated and led the MGSM CSR Partnership Network, a network of leading Australian and international companies, non-profits and governmental departments aimed at developing and sharing CSR knowledge. Debbie was a consultant for United Nations Volunteers and co-wrote the State of the World Volunteerism Report, launched at the UN General Assembly in December 2011. She has published widely on different aspects of volunteerism and CSR and she has submitted a briefing paper on volunteering and social inclusion to the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She also took part in consulting and writing for the Federal and NSW strategies on volunteering.