Kate Mackenzie Davey

Dr. Kate Mackenzie Davey is a Senior Lecturer in Organizational Psychology and former College Dean at Birkbeck, University of London. Her 26-year career at Birkbeck included roles as Assistant Dean for Organizational Psychology (2007) and College Dean (13-year tenure), advocating for staff and student welfare. She holds an MSc in Occupational Psychology from UMIST and a PhD, combining research with consultancy in health, management assessment, and career development.

Her research focuses on careers across boundaries, addressing under-representation (gender, refugee status, class), stigmatized work (e.g., dirty jobs), hybrid professional identities, and multinational teams. Methodologies include mixed methods, qualitative studies, and innovative data sources like visual representations of entrepreneurship and online blogs. Participants span diverse professions, including refugee doctors, taxi drivers, and museum workers.

As a mentor, Kate co-authored research with former students and supported early-career academics. She is celebrated for her compassionate leadership, intellectual rigor, and stylish authenticity. Her retirement in 2020 marked the end of her roles as College Dean and Senior Lecturer, though she remains a cherished Birkbeckian.