Donald Maciver

Dr Donald Maciver is a Lecturer and Research Fellow at Queen Margaret University (QMU) within the Division of Occupational Therapy and Arts Therapies. He holds a PhD in Health Sciences and a BSc in Occupational Therapy. His primary research focuses on children’s participation and inclusion, neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism), mental health, and school-based interventions. He leads the CIRCLE Collaboration, a global initiative promoting inclusive school practices for children with additional support needs. Dr Maciver collaborates extensively with Scottish Government, NHS Lothian, and international partners. He is a member of the Centre for Applied Social Sciences and serves on editorial and professional bodies like the British Journal of Occupational Therapy. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, realist evaluation, and participatory action research to drive policy and practice changes.

• Education: PhD in Health Sciences, BSc in Occupational Therapy
• Affiliations: Scottish Government’s National Autism Implementation Team (NAIT), Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Key Projects: CIRCLE Collaboration, Neurodevelopmental Pathways in Scotland

His research investigates neurodevelopmental assessment waiting times, early intervention strategies, and autism diagnosis guidelines. He advocates for neurodiversity-affirming practices in education and healthcare, emphasizing collaboration between universities, NHS, and schools to achieve tangible impacts.