Renee McDonald, Honoray Doctor at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Renee McDonald has lived most of her life in Texas, United States. She is one of three children of working-class parents. She had a 10-year career as a software and systems developer, attending night classes along the way to work toward a college degree. Realizing she enjoyed the field of psychology, she returned to college full time and then went to graduate school to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology. She has worked as an academic since obtaining that degree.
鈥淭he questions I seek to answer in my research focus on two things: gaining a better understanding of how such things as violence between parents, parental harshness and violence toward children, and sexual abuse of children affect the children. Particularly I鈥檓 interested in better understanding why some children fare poorly, yet others seem to do okay. I also work to develop effective ways to help children who have experienced such violence have healthy lives and relationships. Providing effective, scalable services that are demonstrably effective is critical to helping these children and improving their opportunities in life and in contributing to society.鈥
Other researchers benefit from Renee McDonald鈥檚 research, just as her research benefits from theirs. But also, community organizations and service providers that help children and families affected by violence gain from it.
鈥淚n Sweden, one of the interventions my team has developed, Project Support, is in use in social services agencies across the country. This has come about through a collaboration with researchers and doctoral students here at 果冻传媒. I was stunned to hear that I had been nominated for an honorary doctorate and I am grateful beyond words for this honor to receive it. I owe 果冻传媒, your country, and especially my collaborators here in 果冻传媒 a continuing debt of loyalty and service.鈥
In her spare time Renee McDonald enjoys reading, cooking, and making ceramics. She likes to try new restaurants and to exercise with her husband and spend time with her two daughters, her grandchildren and two French Bulldogs that she dotes on.