Fiona Mackay | School of Social and Political Science

Professor Fiona Mackay

Professor Emerita, Politics and International Relations

f.s.mackay@ed.ac.uk

Profile
Publications

Research interests

Gender Politics Research Group Gender, Feminism and Sexuality Governance & Democracy Identities & Inequalities Territorial Politics Research Group

Background

Fiona Mackay is Emerita Professor of Politics. Her research focusses on the gendered power dynamics of political and other public institutions, including mechanisms of institutional continuity and change. As founding co-Director of the Feminism and Institutionalism International Network (FIIN), she has been a leading figure in the development of Feminist Institutionalism (FI), an important methodological approach in the gender and politics sub-field. She currently co-edits the Oxford University Press book series Studies in Feminist Institutionalism.

She served as Dean and Head of School (2014-2017; and, again, as Interim Dean, 2021-2022); founding director of GENDER.ED the University's interdisciplinary hub for gender and sexualities studies (2017-2022); Senate assessor on the University of Edinburgh Court (2020-22); and Director of the SPS Graduate School (2019-22). Fiona is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS), the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE). She served as elected Trustee and Honorary Secretary of the Political Studies Association (2019-22), and in 2025 was appointed as one of twelve founding Fellows of the PSA.

Works within

Politics and International Relations

Publication	Research Explorer link
Blacklock K, MacKay JRD, Bristow PC, Parakh I, Paczesna A, Mackay F et al. Silent Voices: Uncovering Women’s Absence in Veterinary Surgery Publications. PLoS ONE. 2025 Aug 14;20(8):1-16. e0330392. Epub 2025 Aug 14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0330392	View
Mackay F, Kenny M. Women’s political representation and the SNP: Gendered paradoxes and puzzles. In Hassan G, editor, The Modern SNP: From Protest to Power. Edinburgh University Press. 2024. p. 42-54	View
Jackson LA, Ayada S, Christoffersen A, Conley H, Galt F, Mackay F et al. Campaigning against workplace ‘sexual harassment’ in the UK: Law, discourse and the news press c. 1975 – 2005. Contemporary British History. 2023 Oct 12;1-30. Epub 2023 Oct 12. doi: 10.1080/13619462.2023.2262930	View
Chappell L, Mackay F. Feminist critical friends: Dilemmas of feminist engagement with governance and gender reform agendas. European Journal of Politics and Gender. 2021 Sept;4(3):321 - 340. Epub 2020 Jul 10. doi: 10.1332/251510820X15922354996155	View
Mackay F. Dilemmas of an academic feminist as manager in the neoliberal academy: Negotiating institutional authority, oppositional knowledge and change . Political Studies Review. 2020 Nov 10. Epub 2020 Nov 10. doi: 10.1177/1478929920958306	View
Govinda R, (ed.), Mackay F, (ed.), Menon K, (ed.), Sen R, (ed.). Doing Feminisms in the Academy: Identity, Institutional Pedagogy and Critical Classrooms in India and the UK. New Delhi: Zubaan Books, 2020. 330 p. Epub 2020 Sept 22.	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. Women, gender and politics in Scotland. In Keating M, editor, The Oxford Handbook of Scottish Politics. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2020. p. 59-77 doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198825098.013.4	View
Mackay F, Cera M. New Institutions, New Gender Rules? A Feminist Institutionalist Lens on Women and Power-Sharing . feminists@law. 2019 Feb 8;9(1).	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. Feminist and gendered approaches. In Lowndes V, DM, Stoker G, editors, Theory and Methods in Political Science. 4 ed. Basingstoke: Red Globe Press. 2017. p. 92-108. (Political Analysis).	View
Chappell L, Mackay F. What's in a name? Mapping the terrain of informal institutions and gender politics. In Waylen G, editor, Gender and Informal Institutions. Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. 2017. p. 23-44. (Feminist Institutionalist Perspectives).	View
Mackay F. Nested newness, institutional innovation, and the gendered limits of change. Politics & Gender. 2014 Dec 9;10(4):549-571. Epub 2014 Dec 9. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X14000415	View
Mackay F, Waylen G. Introduction: Gendering “New” Institutions. Politics & Gender. 2014 Dec 1;10(4):489-494. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X14000385	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. When Is Contagion Not Very Contagious? Dynamics of Women’s Political Representation in Scotland. Parliamentary Affairs. 2014 Oct;67(4):866-886. Epub 2013 Jan 29. doi: 10.1093/pa/gss109	View
Bell C, Mackay F. Why Should Women Care about Constitutional Debates? And Why Aren't Their Voices Being Heard? Gender Politics at Edinburgh Blog. 2013.	View
Mackay F, Rhodes RAW. Gender, Greedy Institutions, and the Departmental Court. Public Administration. 2013 Feb 12;91(3):582-598. Epub 2013 Feb 12. doi: 10.1111/padm.12012	View
Celis K, Mackay F, Meier P. Social Movement Organizations and Changing State Architectures: Comparing Women’s Movement Organizing in Flanders and Scotland. Publius: The Journal of Federalism. 2013 Jan;43(1):44-67. Epub 2012 Jul 24. doi: 10.1093/publius/pjs035	View
Charles N, Mackay F. Feminist politics and framing contests: Domestic Violence Policy in Scotland and Wales. Critical Social Policy. 2013;33(4):593-615. DOI: 10.1177/0261018313483488. doi: 10.1177/0261018313483488	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. Less male, pale and stale? Women and the 2012 Scottish local government elections. Scottish Affairs . 2012 Aug;80(1):20-32. doi: 10.3366/scot.2012.0027	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. In the balance: Women and the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections. Scottish Affairs . 2011 Aug;76(1):74-86. doi: 10.3366/scot.2011.0037	View
Kenny M, Mackay F. Gender and devolution in Spain and the United Kingdom. Politics and Gender. 2011 Jun 6;7(2):280-286. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X11000122	View
Krook ML, (ed.), Mackay F, (ed.). Gender, Politics and Institutions: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism. Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. 240 p.	View
Krook ML, Mackay F. Introduction: Gender, Politics, and Institutions. In Mackay F, krook ML, editors, Gender, Politics and Institutions: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism. Palgrave Macmillan. 2011. p. 1-20	View
Mackay F, Kenny M, Chappell L. New Institutionalism Through a Gender Lens: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism? International Political Science Review. 2010 Nov;31(5):573-588. doi: 10.1177/0192512110388788	View
Mackay F. Gendering Constitutional Change and Policy Outcomes: Substantive Representation and Domestic Violence Policy in Scotland. Politics & Policy (P&P). 2010 Jul;38(3):369-388. doi: 10.1332/030557310X521062	View
Mackay F, Kenny M. Women and Political Representation in Post-Devolution Scotland: 'High Time or High Tide'? In Breitenbach E, Thane P, editors, Women and Citizenship in Britain and Ireland in the 20th Century: What Difference did the Vote Make?. Continuum. 2010. p. 171-188	View
Mackay F. Devolution and the Multilevel Politics of Gender in the UK: The Case of Scotland. In Haussman M, Sawer M, Vickers J, editors, Federalism, Feminism and Multilevel Governance. Ashgate Publishing. 2010. p. 155-170	View
Mackay F. Conclusion: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism. In Mackay F, Krook ML, editors, Gender, Politics and Instituions: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism. Palgrave Macmillan. 2010. p. 181-196	View
Mackay F, Breitenbach E. Feminist Politics in Scotland from the 1970s to 2000s: Engaging with the Changing State. In Breitenbach E, Thane P, editors, Women and Citizenship in Britain and Ireland in the 20th Century: What Difference did the Vote Make?. Continuum. 2010. p. 153-169	View
Mackay F. Gender. In Flinders M, Gamble A, Hay C, Kenny M, editors, The Oxford Handbook of British Politics. Oxford University Press. 2009. p. 646-663	View
Mackay F, Kenny M. Women's Political Representation and the SNP: Gendered Paradoxes and Puzzles. In Hassan G, editor, The Modern SNP: From Protest to Power. Edinburgh University Press. 2009. p. 42-54	View
Mackay F, Waylen G. Feminist Institutionalism: Critical Perspectives on Gender and Politics. Politics & Gender. 2009;5(2):237-280. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X09000178	View
Mackay F. Travelling the Distance? Equal Opportunities and the Scottish Parliament. In Jeffery C, Mitchell J, editors, The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade. Luath Press. 2009. p. 49-55	View
Mackay F, Kenny M. Already Doin' it for Ourselves? Skeptical Notes on Feminism and Institutionalism. Politics & Gender. 2009;5(2):271-280. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X09000221	View
Mackay F, Waylen G, Monro S. The Feminist Potential of Sociological Institutionalism. Politics & Gender. 2009;5(2):253-262. doi: 10.1017/S1743923X09000208	View
Mackay F. ‘Thick’ Conceptions of Substantive Representation: Women, Gender and Political Institutions. Representation: Journal of Representative Democracy (JRD). 2008 Jun;44(2):125-139. doi: 10.1080/00344890802079607	View
Mackay F. The State of Women's Movements in Britain: Ambiguity, Complexity and Challenges from the Periphery. In Grey S, Sawer M, editors, Women's Movements: Flourishing or in Abeyance. Routledge. 2008. p. 17-32	View
Chaney P, Mackay F, McAllister L. Women, Politics and Constitutional Change: The First Years of the National Assembly for Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2007. 156 p.	View
Mackay F, Kenny M. Women's Representation in the 2007 Scottish Parliament: Temporary Setback or Return to the Norm? Scottish Affairs. 2007;(60):80-94.	View
Mackay F. Descriptive and Substantive Representation in New Parliamentary Spaces: The Case of Scotland. In Sawer M, Tremblay M, Trimble L, editors, Representing Women in Parliament: A Comparative Study. Routledge. 2006. p. 171-187	View
Mackay F. Women's Representation in Wales and Scotland. Contemporary Wales. 2005;17(1):140-161.	View
Mackay F. United Kingdom. In Tremblay M, Galligan Y, editors, Sharing Power: Women, Parliament, Democracy. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing. 2005. p. 107-122	View
Mackay F. Gender and Political Representation in the UK: The State of the 'Discipline'. British Journal of Politics and International Relations. 2004;6(1):99-120. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-856X.2004.00129.x	View
Mackay F. Women and the Labour Party in Scotland. In Hassan G, editor, The Scottish Labour Party: History, Institutions and Ideas. Edinburgh University Press. 2004. p. 104-126	View
Mackay F. Gender and the Division of Labour. In Shaw M, Martin I, Crowther J, editors, Renewing Democracy in Scotland: An Educational Source Book. National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. 2003. p. 89-92	View
Mackay F. Women and the 2003 Elections: Keeping up the Momentum. Scottish Affairs. 2003;(44):74-90.	View
Mackay F, Myers F, Brown A. Towards a New Politics? Women and the Constitutional Change in Scotland. In Dobrowolsky A, Hart V, editors, Women Making Constitutions: New Politics and Comparative Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan. 2003	View
Mackay F, Meehan E, Donaghy TB, Brown A. Women and Constitutional Change in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Australasian Parliamentary Review. 2002;17(2):35-54.	View
Mackay F, Russell M, McAllister L. Women's Representation in the Scottish Parliament and National Assembly for Wales: Party Dynamics for Achieving Critical Mass. The Journal of Legislative Studies. 2002;8(2):49-76. doi: 10.1080/714003911	View
Mackay F, Brown A, Donaghy TB, Meehan E. Women and Constitutional Change in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Parliamentary Affairs. 2002;55(1):71-84. doi: 10.1093/parlij/55.1.71	View
Breitenbach E, (ed.), Brown A, (ed.), Mackay F, (ed.), Webb J, (ed.). The Changing Politics of Gender Equality in Britain. 1 ed. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001. 240 p.	View
Breitenbach E, Brown A, Mackay F, Webb J. Introduction: The changing politics of gender equality. In Breitenbach E, Brown A, Mackay F, Webb J, editors, The Changing Politics of Gender Equality. 1 ed. Palgrave Macmillan. 2001. p. 1-19 doi: 10.1057/9780230522572	View
Mackay F. Love and Politics: Women Politicians and the Ethics of Care. Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd, 2001. 224 p.	View
Mackay F, Breitenbach E, Brown A, Webb J. Introduction: The Changing Politics of Gender Equality. In Breitenbach E, Brown A, Mackay F, editors, The Changing Politics of Gender Equality. Palgrave Macmillan. 2001. p. 1-19	View
Mackay F, Breitenbach E. Introduction: Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics. In Mackay F, Breitenbach E, editors, Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics: An Anthology. Polygon at Edinburgh. 2001. p. 1-24	View
Breitenbach E, (ed.), Mackay F, (ed.). Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics: An Anthology. Polygon at Edinburgh, 2001. 320 p.	View
Mackay F, Breitenbach E. Keeping Gender on the Agenda: The Role of Women's and Equal Opportunities Initiatives in Local Government in Scotland. In Mackay F, Breitenbach E, editors, Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics: An Anthology. Polygon at Edinburgh. 2001. p. 147-162	View
Mackay F. The Case of Zero Tolerance: Women's Politics in Action? In Mackay F, Breitenbach E, editors, Women and Contemporary Scottish Politics: An Anthology. Polygon at Edinburgh. 2001. p. 105-130	View
Mackay F. In a Different Voice? Women Local Politicians and the Vocabulary of Care. Contemporary Politics. 1998;4(3):259-270. doi: 10.1080/13569779808449967	View
Mackay F. The Zero Tolerance Campaign: Setting the Agenda. In Lovenduski J, Norris P, editors, Women in Politics. Oxford University Press. 1996	View
Mackay F. The Zero Tolerance Campaign: Setting the Agenda. Parliamentary Affairs. 1996;49(1):206-220.	View

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