Debjani was born in Delhi in 1952 and came to Britain in 1972 via Japan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Egypt and Morocco. She has worked in the steel industry, education and community relations. Widely anthologized, her poems have won various prizes including a Peterloo Poets prize. She writes for both children and adults, and has had 50 books of prose and poetry published, including bi-lingual books and work in translation. Sheffield Hallam University awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2002.

Debjani was Reviews Editor for the NAWE journal for many years, an invaluable committee member and, finally, an exemplary Chair until 2006. She has continued to play a highly active part in our organization alongside her work as Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St John University.