Bluewater Endeavours

Are you a professional in healthcare, recreation or tourism involved in designing for Blue Economy wellbeing?

Sometimes there are gaps between theory and practice, or across disciplines, resulting in challenges with moving awareness to action. Have you first participated in The Art of Awareness signature program Moving Awareness to Action - Exploring Inner and Outer Adventures? 

Responsible design fosters genuine multi-sensory engagement and active participation. Ethical considerations are paramount. Design choices can either reinforce superficiality and commodification or facilitate deeper, authentic and mutually beneficial approaches.

With a with a trailblazing and unique perspective inspired by the blue water and green mountains outside my studio, especially when these turned brown during States of Emergency floods in 2021, 2022 and 2025, woven with my attempts to "bridge the gaps", Bluewater Endeavours focuses on the facilitation, innovative design and implementation stage of your project, bridging academic research to result in real-world impact. Embrace experiential learning; learning by doing. 

Experiential learning is a process, rather than an outcome and involves:

• Concrete experience 
• Reflective observation
• Abstract conceptualisation 
• Active experimentation 

Dive in Deeply to Design for a Resilient Future.

 Deborah’s world class research and writing has included science communication and regulatory documents (USA and UK), newsletters (USA), blogs (Australia, USA and Aotearoa/New Zealand), monographs and articles, book reviews, historical, science, permaculture, nature and wellbeing reports (USA, Aotearoa/New Zealand and UK), e-booklets (USA), online teaching material (Australia and USA) and research (UK, Africa, USA). Between 2004 and 2006 she was a workshop presenter and leader at the American Medical Writers Association’s Annual Conference/Princeton Conference, USA. She is a past president of the American Medical Writer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, USA and served on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Institute of Clinical Research, UK. She has also taught reflective writing, at the Masters-level, to healthcare professionals in Australia. She has served, internationally, on several expert advisory boards across different approaches to health and wellbeing.

Past clients, employers, collaborators and volunteer groups with which she has engaged over her varied career include, numerous pharmaceutical companies and CROs (i3 Research, Ely Lilly, Chiltern; USA and UK), educational institutions (Nantien Institute; Australia, University of Florida - Center for Arts in Medicine, West Chester University and Drexel University College of Medicine; USA) and trusts (Te Ātiawa Trust; Aotearoa/ New Zealand). With an interest in behaviour change, she is a previous member of the American Psychological Association Division 34 (Society for Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology) and in 2024 served on the Annual Convention Abstract Review Committee and Virtual Conference Committee. She has a lifetime of experience with working alongside Indigenous groups in different countries, particularly to support the health and wellbeing of women and children.

She is a past member of the NZ Society of Authors and Marlborough Representative to the Committee for the Top of the South. She is also a former Trustee for Endeavour Inlet Conservation Trust and former workshop leader at the Adventure Therapy Aotearoa Conference.  She also facilitated a monthly sustainability group across the Top of the South. In 2025 she served on the organising committee, and as MC, for the Marlborough Biodiversity Forum - What is Under the Surface. She is a current postgrad. student in the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki  Lincoln University; Aotearoa/New Zealand.

A bridge-builder, she recognises biophilia and how human wellbeing is interconnected and dependent on a healthy environment. Her current creative non-fiction writing and story-telling bridging art and science for positive change inspire, entertain and educate readers internationally. Between 2020 and 2024 she was a regular contributor to the Journal of Biophilic Design and associated podcast with her most recent article here. 

 Learn more via Linkedin. Listen to and read her podcast conversations and publications. Find out what others say.

Life under water links to life on land

SDG 14, "Life Below Water," is crucial for biodiversity, climate change and overall planetary health. It  focuses on restoration, conservation and long-term ocean planning and engagement. This is vital for regulating the climate and supporting the diverse life of people and the planet.