Debra Pepler

Debra Pepler is a Canadian psychologist known for her research and advocacy within the field of childhood aggression and bullying about which she is often interviewed in the media. She is currently a distinguished research professor at York University in Toronto, Ontario.

Career Pepler completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Queen's University in 1973, followed by a Master of Science degree at Dalhousie University in 1976.

Pepler is a nationally recognized expert in the field of childhood aggression, including bullying. She has co-edited 12 books and published over 200 refereed journal articles, book chapters, and white papers. targets' coping styles, and peers' responses.

In 1997, she appeared on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss her work on bullying.

In 2006, Pepler co-founded (with Wendy Craig, her first PhD student) Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet), a collaboration between researchers and community organizations dedicated to preventing childhood bullying and violence.

In 2015, Pepler was awarded the Donald O. Hebb Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Science, by the Canadian Psychological Association.

Selected works