Debra Lieberman

Debra Lieberman is a prominent figure in the field of digital media and games research, currently serving as the Director of the Center for Digital Games Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She has held this position since 2013, where she has been instrumental in establishing the center to foster collaboration among faculty engaged in various aspects of digital media and game technology.1

Educational Background

Lieberman earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Swarthmore College, where she also minored in Education. She later obtained an Ed.M. in Media and Learning from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Communication Research from Stanford University. Her doctoral research focused on learning processes and behavior change through interactive media.1

Professional Experience

In addition to her role at the Center for Digital Games Research, Lieberman has been involved in several significant projects:

• Media and Games Researcher at UCSB since 2001, directing research on learning and health behavior change through digital media.
• Director of Health Games Research from 2007 to 2013, overseeing a national program funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that advanced health-related game design and research.1
• Prior positions include working as a Media Research & Design Consultant, where she collaborated with various organizations to develop interactive media for education and health.1

Lieberman's work has garnered funding from prestigious organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Intel, focusing on innovative approaches to enhance health behaviors through gaming.1 Her extensive experience combines educational theory with practical applications in digital media, making her a leading expert in the intersection of education, health, and technology.