Deborah Ward is a choreographer, educator, independent dance researcher and a doctoral  candidate at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where her research examines the work of women ballet choreographers through a feminist narratological lens. Her publications include writing for The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Ballet (2021) and the Istanbul University Journal of Women’s Studies (2023) with a focus on the role of women as ballet choreographers and ballet choreography in education. She has presented at many international conferences including for the Royal Academy of Dance, CORPS de Ballet International, University of Limerick, and the Center for Ballet and the Arts on various aspects of dance performance and  pedagogical/choreographic approaches. Deborah is currently the Company Manager for Rambert Dance and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures.

A graduate of Elmhurst Ballet School, Surrey, Deborah holds an MA in Dance Studies from De Montfort University, a BA (Hons) in Communications Studies – Dance from the University of Leeds and a Professional Performance Diploma from the José Limón Institute, New York. Her choreographic work has been presented internationally in both educational and professional  settings and has a focus on contemporary ballet and folklore. Her company Ballet Folk creates work that has a narrative focus and is embedded in folk traditions and music from the British Isles.  As a dance educator Ward has taught internationally, with a pedagogical focus on Contemporary Ballet, Limón-based technique and Choreographic Practices.

Deborah is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and she currently serves as Chair of the  British and International Federation of Festivals and as co-president elect for CORPS de Ballet International.