Deborah Swallow

Deborah Anne Swallow (born 27 August 1948) is a British museum curator and academic. Since 2004, she has been Director of the Courtauld Institute. She previously worked at the University of Cambridge and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Swallow was born on 27 August 1948. She was educated at the Perse School for Girls, an independent school in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. She studied English literature at New Hall, Cambridge, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree; as per tradition, her BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA (Cantab)) degree. She undertook postgraduate study in social anthropology at Darwin College, Cambridge. In 1977, she completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with a thesis entitled "Living Saints and their Devotees: a Study of Guru Cults in Urban Orissa".

Swallow began her career at the University of Cambridge. From 1974 to 1983, she was an assistant curator at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. She was additionally a lecturer at Girton College, Cambridge from 1975 to 1980, and a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge from 1975 to 1983. She then worked at the Victoria and Albert Museum as Keeper of the Asian Department and Director of Collections.