# Mandi MacDonald
**Source**: https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/
**Parent**: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/social-work-relevant-degree-entry-bsw-l501/
[View Scopus Profile](https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55546468700)
# Mandi MacDonald
Professor
- Professor, [School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/organisations/school-of-social-sciences-education-and-social-work/)
- [Centre for Children's Rights](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/organisations/centre-for-childrens-rights/)
[https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7433-712X](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7433-712X "Orcid")
- Phone+44 (0)28 9097 3179
- Email[m.macdonald@qub.ac.uk](#)
- Room 01.022 - Sociology and Social Work
United Kingdom
Accepting PhD Students
PhD projects
- Adoption, kinship care, leaving care\
- Parenting capacity
2011Research output 2011: 1Projects 2012: 2Research output 2012: 2Research output 2013: 3Research output 2015: 3Research output 2016: 3Research output 2017: 2Projects 2018: 1Research output 2018: 8Research output 2019: 12Projects 2020: 1Research output 2020: 7Research output 2021: 14Projects 2022: 1Research output 2022: 3Research output 2023: 9Research output 2024: 6Research output 2025: 4Research output 2026: 12026
Research activity per year
## Personal profile
### Research Interests
My career as a social work practitioner and academic has focused on the needs and rights of children, young people and their families experiencing adversity. I worked for eleven years as a social worker and senior social worker in statutory child welfare practice, with expertise in child protection, family support, foster care, adoption and permanence planning. Since employment in 2010 as a social work lecturer, I have continued to develop teaching and research that is focused on dedicated to children and young people in state care and adopted from care, and to supporting the families of children in need.
I am involved in research in relation to parenting, family support, children in alternative care, and the experience of family life in foster care, kinship foster care and adoption, with expertise in interpretative qualitative research methods. I work alongside social workers and child welfare agencies to translate research into innovative practice solutions to benefit children and families. I am especially interested in children’s experiences of alternative care internationally and am involved in research partnerships in South Africa and Australia.
I am a Fellow of the Centre for Effectiveness and Social Innovation at. I contribute to ongoing knowledge exchange between the research and child welfare practice communities, on a national and European level, as a core member of: EuroFam-Net, the Pan-European Family Support Research Network; the NI Inter-Agency Child Care Legal Issues Group; the advisory group of Adoption UK (NI), and the CoramBAAF research group advisory committee.
I co-ordinate the social work with children and families module for the Bachelor in Social Work programme, and the enhancing outcomes for children in state care module on the Masters in Applied Social Studies.
I supervise a number of PhD students and welcome proposals in relation to child welfare, adoption, kinship foster care, family life, or parenting.
## Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where Mandi MacDonald is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- [10](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/similar/)
Similar Profiles
- Children
Psychology
- Family
Social Sciences
- Contact
Social Sciences
- Birth
Social Sciences
- Adoption
Psychology
- UK
Social Sciences
- Experience
Social Sciences
- Support
Social Sciences
[View full fingerprint](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/fingerprints/)
## Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or Select a country/territory from the list\
# Dive into details
Select a country/territory to view shared publications and projects
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[Explore network further](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/network/)
## Projects
- [1](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/projects/?status=RUNNING)
Active
- [3](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/projects/?status=FINISHED)
Finished
- ### [R3075SES: Evidence Review - Developing Trauma informed practice in Northern Ireland](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/projects/safe-guarding-board-sbnilorna-montgomery/)
[Montgomery, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lorna-montgomery/) (PI), [Bunting, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lisa-bunting/) (CoI), Coulter, S. (CoI), [Davidson, G.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/gavin-davidson/) (CoI), [Hayes, D.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/davy-hayes/) (CoI), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (CoI) & [Mooney, S.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/suzanne-mooney/) (CoI)
29/08/2018 → …
Project: Research
- ### [R1667SES: IAA: support needs of Ugandan carers of chronic non-communicable disease patients](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/projects/esrc-iaa-2/)
[Montgomery, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lorna-montgomery/) (PI), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (CoI), [McShane, C.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/charlene-mcshane/) (CoI) & [Santin, O.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/olinda-santin/) (CoI)
24/05/2022 → 31/12/2022
Project: Research
- ### [R3232SES: Tackling the escalating burden of care: A qualitative exploration of the roles, responsibilities and support needs of Ugandan carers, caring for someone with chronic non-communicable disease](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/projects/dfe-gcrf-award/)
[Montgomery, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lorna-montgomery/) (PI), Jenkins, C. (CoI), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (CoI), McAneney, H. (CoI), [McShane, C.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/charlene-mcshane/) (CoI) & [Santin, O.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/olinda-santin/) (CoI)
14/09/2020 → 30/11/2021
Project: Research
- ### [R2989SWK: The Fostering Network's Kinship Carers Needs Assessment and Service Evaluation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/projects/fostering-network/)
[Houston, S.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/stan-houston/) (PI), [Hayes, D.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/davy-hayes/) (CoI) & [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (CoI)
01/08/2012 → 30/09/2013
Project: Research
- ### [R2974SWK: Families First; informal kinship care project](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/projects/baaf-families-first-informal-kinship-care-project/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (PI), [Hayes, D.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/davy-hayes/) (CoI) & [Houston, S.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/stan-houston/) (CoI)
01/08/2012 → 30/07/2013
Project: Research
## Research output
- [17](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Farticle)
Article
- [16](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fbookanthology%2Fcommissioned)
Commissioned report
- [13](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontoconference%2Fpaper)
Paper
- [5](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontobookanthology%2Fpeerreviewedchapter)
Chapter (peer-reviewed)
- 12
More
- [**4** Other report](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fbookanthology%2Fother)
- [**4** Scholarly edition](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fbookanthology%2Fscholarly)
- [**2** Other contribution](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fothercontribution%2Fother)
- [**1** Book](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fbookanthology%2Fbook)
- [**1** Abstract](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontoconference%2Fabstract)
- [**1** Other contribution to conference](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontoconference%2Fother)
- [**1** Editorial](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Feditorial)
- [**1** Review article](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Fresearchoutput%2Fresearchoutputtypes%2Fcontributiontojournal%2Fsystematicreview)
- ### [Exploring the meaning and experience of family for youth leaving care: a scoping review](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/exploring-the-meaning-and-experience-of-family-for-youth-leaving-/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/), Oterholm, I., [Kelly, B.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/berni-kelly/), Höjer, I. & Brænne Bennwik, I.-H., Feb 2026, In: [Child & Family Social Work.](#) 31, 1, p. 636-646 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access
File
- Home Care
- Scoping Review
[1](https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004345671#tab=citedBy)
Citation
(Scopus)
57
Downloads
(Pure)
- ### [Amplifying the voices of care-experienced youth through participatory arts: building capacity and connections for international youth-led, arts-based advocacy](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/amplifying-the-voices-of-care-experienced-youth-through-participa/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/), 13 Mar 2025.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
- Home Care
- Mindset
- Cultural Contexts
- Social Challenge
- Creative Process
- ### [Children's rights in Ukraine: Report on the rights of Ukrainian children affected by the full scale invasion](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/childrens-rights-in-ukraine-report-on-the-rights-of-ukrainian-chi/)
Templeton, M., Heard, E., [Byrne, B.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/bronagh-byrne/), Lloyd, K., [Lundy, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/laura-lundy/), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/), [McNamee, C. B.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/catherine-mcnamee/), [Schubotz, D.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/dirk-schubotz/) & [Weisler, V.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/valerie-weisler/), 2025
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
- ### [Recognising foster family practices as a form of extended care for emerging adults transitioning out of long-term fostering](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/recognising-foster-family-practices-as-a-form-of-extended-care-fo/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/), [Marshall, G.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/gerry-marshall/) & [Pinkerton, J.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/john-pinkerton/), Oct 2025, In: [Emerging Adulthood.](#) 13, 5, p. 1228-1241 14 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
File
- Normativity
- Child Welfare
- Foster Family
- Adult Relationships
[1](https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105004002207#tab=citedBy)
Citation
(Scopus)
62
Downloads
(Pure)
- ### [United and unique: amplifying the voices of care leavers in South Africa and Northern Ireland – Youth Report](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/publications/united-and-unique-amplifying-the-voices-of-care-leavers-in-south-/)
McCallin, M., Menda, S., Brown, R., Siyo, Y., van Zyl, D., [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/), Jamieson, L. & [Kelly, B.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/berni-kelly/), 2025, 20 p.
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
Open Access
File
- Belfast
- UK
- South Africa
84
Downloads
(Pure)
[View all 78 research outputs](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/publications/)
## Prizes
- ### [ESWRA award for Outstanding Publication in European Social Work Research 2022](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/prizes/eswra-award-for-outstanding-publication-in-european-social-work-r/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Recipient), 12 Apr 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
File
- Social Work
- Awards
- Publication
- Work Research
- Research
- ### [Finalist in NI Annual Social Work Awards](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/prizes/finalist-in-ni-annual-social-work-awards/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Recipient), 01 Jun 2018
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
- Social Work
- Awards
- Buildings
## Activities
- [12](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fattendance%2Fworkshopseminarcourseparticipation)
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
- [10](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Finvited_or_keynote_talk_at_national_or_international_conference)
Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- [9](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fattendance%2Fconferenceparticipation)
Participation in conference
- [9](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Finvited_talk)
Invited talk
- 40
More
- [**8** Public lecture/debate/seminar](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Fpublic_lecture_debate_seminar)
- [**6** Publication peer-review](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Feditorialwork%2Fpublicationpeerreview)
- [**4** PhD external examination](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fexamination%2Fexamination)
- [**4** Oral presentation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Ftalk%2Foral_presentation)
- [**3** Work on advisory panel to industry or government or non-government organisation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fconsultancy%2Fwork_on_advisory_panel_to_industry_or_government_or_non_government_organisation_)
- [**3** Hosting an academic visitor](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fhostvisitor%2Fhostvisitor)
- [**3** Visiting an external academic institution](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fvisitother%2Fvisitother)
- [**2** CPD delivery/organisation of courses for externals (in kind)](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fconsultancy%2Fcpd_delivery_organisation_of_courses_for_externals_in_kind_)
- [**2** UG external examination](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fexamination%2Fug_external_examination)
- [**2** Membership of external research organisation](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fcouncil)
- [**2** Membership of public/government advisory/policy group or panel](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fmembership_of_public_government_advisory_policy_group_or_panel)
- [**2** Membership of network](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fnetwork)
- [**2** Other](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fotheractivity%2Fother_activity)
- [**1** Editorial activity](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Feditorialwork%2Feditorial)
- [**1** Hosting of external, non-academic visitor](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fhostvisitor%2Fhosting_of_external_non_academic_visitor)
- [**1** Membership of board](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fboard)
- [**1** Membership of peer review panel or committee](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fcommittee)
- [**1** Membership of national or international committees and working groups](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fmembership%2Fmembership_of_national_or_international_committees_and_working_groups)
- [**1** Hosting a delegation or group](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fotheractivity%2Fexternalacademicengagement_hostingacademicvisitor)
- [**1** Visiting a School](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/?type=%2Fdk%2Fatira%2Fpure%2Factivity%2Factivitytypes%2Fvisitother%2Fschools_engagement)
- ### [The meaning and experience of family for youth leaving care](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/the-meaning-and-experience-of-family-for-youth-leaving-care/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Invited speaker)
21 Nov 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Invited presentation 'Amplifying the Voices of Care-Experienced Youth' presented at VOYPIC's Annual Conference: 'Thrive not Just Survive'](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/invited-presentation-amplifying-the-voices-of-care-experienced-yo/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Invited speaker) & [Kelly, B.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/berni-kelly/) (Invited speaker)
01 Oct 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Informal Kinship Care - Definitions and Research](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/informal-kinship-care-definitions-and-research/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Invited speaker)
27 May 2025
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Post-Adoption Contact - Learning from the Northern Irish Experience](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/post-adoption-contact-learning-from-the-northern-irish-experience/)
[MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Invited speaker)
04 Oct 2024
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited or keynote talk at national or international conference
- ### [Elicia Savvas](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/activities/elicia-savvas/)
[McCafferty, P.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/paul-mccafferty-2/) (Host), [Hayes, D.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/davy-hayes/) (Host), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Host) & [McAlister, S.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/siobhan-mcalister/) (Host)
09 May 2024
Activity: Hosting a visitor types › Hosting of external, non-academic visitor
[View all 99 activities](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/activities/)
## Impacts
- ### [Building Better Futures](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/impacts/building-better-futures/)
[Montgomery, L.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/lorna-montgomery/) (Participant), [MacDonald, M.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/mandi-macdonald/) (Participant) & [Houston, S.](https://pure.qub.ac.uk/en/persons/stan-houston/) (Participant)
Impact: Public Service Impact, Public Policy Impact, Quality of Life Impact