Deb Merskin is an educator and advocate whose work and activism encompass human rights, animal welfare, and environmental justice.
Now Professor Emerit from the School of Journalism & Communication at the University of Oregon (SOJC), Deb was a faculty member from 1993 to 2022. Her research and teaching focus on how media portrayals of marginalized groups impact lived experiences. She is the author of four single-authored books, numerous journal articles, and book chapters. Her academic journey reflects her dedication to bringing “voice to the voiceless,” as outlined in the Society of Professional Journalists’ central tenets.
In the last decade, this perspective has focused on the re-presentation of animals other than humans. As a result, she and a colleague created a media style guide dedicated to respectful and responsible media portrayals of animals: animalsandmedia.org. Her fourth book, Seeing Species: Re-presentations of Animals in Media and Popular Culture, is devoted to this topic. Her current research explores the impact of lead ammunition on human and animal health through a Just One Health Lens.
Since 2020, Deb has served as a volunteer and Board Member for Think Wild, the Central Oregon wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education nonprofit. In this capacity, she has testified at Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife hearings and rescued and cared for orphaned and injured birds and mammals.
A long-time yoga practitioner and instructor, Deb follows the first principle of yoga, ahimsa, nonviolence and respect for all beings, guides much of her life, including diet (vegan), yoga practice, and, importantly, taking yoga off the mat and into the world.
She intends to use the knowledge gained from the MSL degree to continue writing about animals, serving on the boards of animal organizations, and working with or for organizations committed to making the world more humane and engaged.