School of Social and Political Science

Background

Rebecca J. Macy is an Honorary Professor of Social Work in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh, an Overseas Distinguished Scholar at the Beijing Institute of Technology at Zhuhai, and a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin.

Dr. Macy previously served for more than two decades on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, where she was a Distinguished Professor and served in the roles of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Faculty Development. She also served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Family Violence for seven years.

For over 20 years, Dr. Macy has led community-engaged research focused on preventing and responding to intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Her collaborative work with survivors, families, practitioners, and policymakers has been supported by federal and state agencies, foundations, and private donors. She has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and delivered over 200 presentations around the world. Committed to translating research into practice, Dr. Macy regularly shares findings through community trainings, policy briefs, manuals, and toolkits designed to strengthen real-world responses to violence.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, Dr. Macy has been recognized for her excellence in research, teaching, and mentoring. Her contributions have earned awards from the North Carolina Division of Public Health, the UNC Provost’s Office, and the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, as well as the Daily Village Pride Award from WCHL Radio in Chapel Hill.