Diana Denton

Retired faculty

photo of Diana Denton
Dr. Diana Denton has a B.A. in English (Simon Fraser University, 1976), an MA in Adult Education specializing in Human Resources Development (University of Toronto, 1989), and a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning specializing in Holistic and Aesthetic Education (University of Toronto, 1996). She received an Ontario Graduate scholarship in 1995, a CFI/OIT New Opportunities Grant in 2001, and two University of Waterloo Program Initiative Funds Grants for Community Service Learning Projects in 2007 and 2008. As a poet, professor and organizational consultant, her research interests intersect the disciplines of communication theory and aesthetic and holistic education. Holistic and aesthetic education emphasizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of human being (body, mind, emotions and spirit) in the work of communication and learning. Diana’s aesthetic perspective draws on the creative resources of metaphor and imagery, in both the arts (performance, poetry, story, etc.) and ordinary language use, to explore social webs of communication in personal and professional contexts. She extends metaphors from the world of the intrapersonal to networks of relationship - the realms of the interpersonal, group and organizational - through interpretive ethnographic and phenomenological inquiry. Her work includes the performance of imagination and metaphor, concepts of spirituality in education, transformational leadership across diverse sectors (business, government, education, and non-profit), and contemplative listening.

She has co-edited several books, including, Spirituality, Ethnography and Teaching: Stories from Within (Peter Lang Publishing, 2006), Spirituality and Holistic Learning: Breaking New Ground (State University of New York Press, 2005), and Spirituality, Action & Pedagogy: Teaching from the Heart (Peter Lang Publishing, Spirituality and Education Series, 2004). She has also published a number of book chapters, including “Transformative Pathways: Engaging the Heart in Contemplative Education” in Contemplative Learning and Inquiry Across Disciplines (State University of New York Press, 2014).   She was first author of Leadership Development in the Public Service of Canada: Instructional and Resource Guide (Government of Canada, 2010). Additionally, she has published numerous refereed journal articles including “Betrayals of Gravity: The Flight of the Phoenix” (2011), “Conflict, Theatrical Production and Pedagogy: It’s Just a Play” (co-authored with Steve Ryder, 2009), and “Towards a Sacred Discourse: Re-conceptualizing the Heart Through Metaphor” (2005) in Qualitative Inquiry; “Preparing Students for Leadership in a Pluralistic World” (2005) in Journal of College and Character; “Fostering Depth in a Trans-traditional Context: Communicating Across Differences”  (2004) in Religion and Education; and “The Very Idea of Conflict: Working with Image and Metaphor in a Re-visioning of Conflict” (2003) in Imagination, Cognition and Personality: Consciousness in Theory, Research, Clinical Practice.  Her work in community engagement is reflected in her co-authored article, “A Kaleidoscope of Innovation: Designing Community Impact in Waterloo Region” (2010) in The Philanthropist. She has also co-authored Study Guides and authored Instructors Manuals to Accompany Steven Beebe’s Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others (2nd and 3rd Canadian Editions, 1999, 2003), Pearson Education Canada.

Diana has an extensive background as an organizational consultant - specializing in training, coaching and consulting in the areas of leadership development, interpersonal and team communication, conflict resolution and stress management. Diana has taught courses in Interpersonal Communication, Conflict Management, Leadership, Small Group Communication, Organizational Communication, Federal Public Service Leadership (Government of Canada): Building Capacity for the 21st Century, The Organizational Consultant, Performative Inquiry and Practice, and Communicating Across Differences: Spiritual Development in a Diverse World.  She served on the University of Waterloo Senate and Board of Governors (2009-2011).

Major Work

Books

Leadership Development in the Public Service of Canada: Instructional and Resource Guide, Diana Denton, Mary Brodhead, Robert Ballard, et al, Government of Canada, 2010, 409 pp.

Spirituality, Ethnography, & Teaching: Stories from Within, Edited by Will Ashton and Diana Denton, New York, Peter Lang, 2006.

Holistic Learning and Spirituality in Education: Breaking New Ground, Edited by John P. Miller, Selia Karsten, Diana Denton, Debra Orr and Isabella Colallilo-Katts, Albany, State University of New York Press, 2005.

Spirituality, Action and Pedagogy: Teaching from the Heart, Edited by Diana Denton and Will Ashton, New York, Peter Lang, 2004.

Book Chapters

“Transformative Pathways: Engaging the Heart in Contemplative Education”, In Contemplative Learning and Inquiry Across Disciplines, Edited by Olen Gunnlaugson, Edward W. Sarath, Charles Scott, and Heesoon Bai, State University of New York Press, 2014.

“Re-Imagining the Wound” in Spirituality, Ethnography, & Teaching: Stories from Within, Edited by Will Ashton & Diana Denton, New York, Peter Lang, 2006.

“Towards a Pedagogy of Compassion” in Holistic Learning and Spirituality in Education: Breaking New Ground, edited by Jack Miller, Selia Karsten, Diana Denton, Debra Orr and Isabella Colallilo-Katts, Albany, State University of New York Press, 2005.

“A Compassionate Practice” in Spirituality, Action and Pedagogy: Teaching From the Heart, edited by Diana Denton and Will Ashton, New York, Peter Lang, 2004

“The Art of Contemplative Listening” in Spirituality in a Diverse Society, edited by Robert Forman, Diana Denton, Doug Krushke & Peter Laurence. New York, Forge Institute, 2004.

Articles in Refereed Journals

“Betrayals of Gravity: The Flight of the Phoenix”, Qualitative Inquiry, 17 (1), (2011):85-92

“Conflict, Theatrical Production & Pedagogy: ‘It’s Just a Play’”, co-authored by Diana Denton and Steve Ryder, Qualitative Inquiry, Vol. 15, No. 10, (2009): 1569-1591

“Preparing Students for Leadership in a Pluralistic World”, Journal of College and Character, co-authored by Diana Denton & Peter Laurence, (Summer 2005 Special Edition).

“Toward a Sacred Discourse: Re-conceptualizing the Heart Through Metaphor.” Qualitative Inquiry. Vol. 11, No. 5 (2005): 752-770.

“Fostering Depth in a Trans-traditional Context: Communicating Across Differences.” Religion and Education. Vo. 31, No. 1 (2004): 20-45.

“The Very Idea of Conflict: Working With Image and Metaphor in a Re-visioning of Conflict.”  Imagination, Cognition and Personality: Consciousness in Theory, Research, Clinical Practice Vol. 22, No.1 (2003): 41-53.

Invited Articles

A Kaleidoscope of Innovation: Designing Community Impact in Waterloo Region”. Diana Denton and Tracey Robertson, The Philanthropist, September 2010.