Staff profile

Stephen is the Associate Dean for the Faculty of Social Sciences at Durham University. He supports postgraduate research across all eight departments within the faculty and teaches on both the undergraduate and postgraduate Criminology programmes. He is also the lead for the Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequality Research Group in the Department of Sociology.

His research lies at the intersection of Disability Studies and Criminology, drawing on theoretical perspectives from Disability Studies to examine issues in criminology, adult services, and youth services. His recent work focuses on the exploitation of young people in drug markets, particularly through county lines.

Stephen has published widely on themes such as disability and county lines, cuckooing, disability hate crime, 'mate' crime, and community forms of coercive control (e.g., hate relationships). He has also investigated criminality and desistance among neurodivergent groups, with a particular focus on the intersections between disability and social deprivation.

Research areas and projects include:

• Young people, drug markets, and criminal exploitation

• Disability, cuckooing, and county lines

• Disability hate crime

• Disability 'mate' crime

• Disability and coercive control (hate relationships)

• Neurodiversity and homelessness

• Disabled people’s experiences in police custody

• Neurodiversity and pathways into offending

• Dyslexia and policing

• Disability, loneliness, and isolation

• Mental health and confinement

Stephen has published extensively in Disability Studies Theory and Criminology Theory, contributing to the advancement of both fields.

Research Theme

Criminal Justice, Social Harms and Inequalities

• Disability and Victimisation
• Disability and Criminality
• Disability and Social Harm
• Disability and Adult Safeguarding
• Disability Studies and Social Work Theory
• Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Studies

• 2022: Hate Crime Network Journal Prize: British Society of Criminology: ‘I may be left with no choice but to end my torment’: disability and intersectionalities of hate crime’
• 2021: Associate Editor (2021-present): Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research (SJDR):
• 2010: Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA):
• 2010: Member of British Society of Criminology (BSC):

Authored book

• Social Work Theory and Practice.
  
  Deacon, L., & Macdonald, S. (2017). Social Work Theory and Practice. SAGE Publications.
• Dyslexia and Crime: A Social Model Approach.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2010). Dyslexia and Crime: A Social Model Approach. VDM Ltd.
• Towards a Sociology of Dyslexia: Exploring Links Between Dyslexia, Disability and Social Class.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2009). Towards a Sociology of Dyslexia: Exploring Links Between Dyslexia, Disability and Social Class. VDM Ltd.

Chapter in book

• ‘He Made Us a Bit Suicidal to be Honest’: Disability Studies, Hate and Victimisation
  
  Macdonald, S., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (in press). ‘He Made Us a Bit Suicidal to be Honest’: Disability Studies, Hate and Victimisation. In S. Weston & J. Trebilcock (Eds.), Mental Health, Crime and Justice: An Edited Collection. Springer Nature.
• From Isolation to Invasion: Disability and Loneliness as Catalysts for Cuckooing
  
  Macdonald, S., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (in press). From Isolation to Invasion: Disability and Loneliness as Catalysts for Cuckooing. In L. Bainbridge, R. Broad, & A. Loughery (Eds.), Understanding and Preventing ‘Cuckooing’ Victimisation: County Lines and Beyond. Routledge.
• Disability Studies, Social Work and Criminal Justice: conceptualising a dis/ableist criminology
  
  Macdonald, S., & Peacock, D. (in press). Disability Studies, Social Work and Criminal Justice: conceptualising a dis/ableist criminology. In I. Martinez & C. Bald (Eds.), Routledge International Handbook on Criminal Justice Social Work. Routledge.
• Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration
  
  Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., & Donovan, C. (in press). Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration. In I. Zempi, J. Garland, & J. Smith (Eds.), Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Disablist Hate Relationships: The Impact of ‘Low-Level’ Forms of Community Violence on Disabled People’s Quality-of-Life.
  
  Macdonald, S., Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Long, C. (2025). Disablist Hate Relationships: The Impact of ‘Low-Level’ Forms of Community Violence on Disabled People’s Quality-of-Life. In S. J. Macdonald & D. Peacock (Eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Disability, Crime, and Justice. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003348733
• Disability, Mate Crime, and Cuckooing (Home Takeovers).
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (2024). Disability, Mate Crime, and Cuckooing (Home Takeovers). In L. Burch & D. Wilkin (Eds.), Disability Hate Crime: Perspectives for Change. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003442004-5
• Dis/ableist Criminology: applying disability theory within a criminological context
  
  Macdonald, S. J., & Peacock, D. (2024). Dis/ableist Criminology: applying disability theory within a criminological context. In K. J. Stockdale & M. Addison (Eds.), Marginalised Voices in Criminology. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003260967-3
• Becoming visible, becoming vulnerable? Bodies, material spaces, and affective economies of hate
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2022). Becoming visible, becoming vulnerable? Bodies, material spaces, and affective economies of hate. In E. Hall, J. Clayton, & C. Donovan (Eds.), Landscapes of Hate: Spaces of abjection, discrimination and exclusion. Bristol University Press.
• Disability Theory and Social Work Practice.
  
  Macdonald, S., & Deacon, L. (2019). Disability Theory and Social Work Practice. In M. Payne & M. Hall (Eds.), THE ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF SOCIAL WORK THEORY. Routledge.
• Five Models of Disability.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2017). Five Models of Disability. In S. Macdonald & L. Deacon (Eds.), SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE. SAGE Publications.
• Psychotherapy, Social Work and the Conflicted Self.
  
  Deacon, L., & Macdonald, S. (2017). Psychotherapy, Social Work and the Conflicted Self. In SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE. SAGE Publications.
• Cognitive Psychology and Social Work Practice.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2017). Cognitive Psychology and Social Work Practice. In L. Deacon & S. Macdonald (Eds.), SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE. SAGE Publications.
• Behaviourism and the Science of Control.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2017). Behaviourism and the Science of Control. In L. Deacon & S. Macdonald (Eds.), SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE. SAGE Publications.
• Humanistic Psychology, Free will and Social Work Practice
  
  Macdonald, S. (2017). Humanistic Psychology, Free will and Social Work Practice. In L. Deacon & S. Macdonald (Eds.), SOCIAL WORK THEORY AND PRACTICE. SAGE Publications.
• Disability and the Digital Divide.
  
  Macdonald, S. (2016). Disability and the Digital Divide. In A. Roulstone, A. Sheldon, & J. Harris (Eds.), DISABILITY AND TECHNOLOGY. Routledge.
• The Impact of Digital Inclusion Initiatives in a Civic Context
  
  Clayton, J., Macdonald, S. J., Smith, P., & Wilcock, A. (2015). The Impact of Digital Inclusion Initiatives in a Civic Context. In Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Third Edition. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-5888-2.ch676
• 'The invisibles': Conceptualising the intersectional relationships between dyslexia, social exclusion and homelessness
  
  Macdonald, S. (2015). ’The invisibles’: Conceptualising the intersectional relationships between dyslexia, social exclusion and homelessness. In T. Shakespeare (Ed.), DISABILITY RESEARCH TODAY: INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES (pp. 112-132). Routledge.
• York retreat
  
  Macdonald, S. (2014). York retreat. In P. Taylor, K. Corteen, & S. Morley (Eds.), A COMPANION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH AND RISK. Bristol: Policy Press.
• The Limits OF Technology: Social class, occupation and digital inclusion in the city of Sunderland, England
  
  Clayton, J., & Macdonald, S. (2013). The Limits OF Technology: Social class, occupation and digital inclusion in the city of Sunderland, England. In Information, Communication & Society (pp. 945-966). Taylor & Francis Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2012.748817
• The right to be labelled: From risk to rights for pupils with dyslexia in 'special needs' education
  
  Macdonald, S. (2013). The right to be labelled: From risk to rights for pupils with dyslexia in ’special needs’ education. In J. Kearney & C. Donovan (Eds.), CONSTRUCTING RISKY IDENTITIES: CONSEQUENCES FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE. (pp. 55-72). Palgrave.

Edited book

• Routledge International Handbook of Disability, Crime, and Justice
  
  Macdonald, S., & Peacock, D. (Eds.). (in press). Routledge International Handbook of Disability, Crime, and Justice. Routledge.

Journal Article

• Dis/ableist Criminology: Beyond Ableism Through a Zemiological Framework
  
  Macdonald, S., & Peacock, D. (2025). Dis/ableist Criminology: Beyond Ableism Through a Zemiological Framework. Critical Criminology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10612-025-09843-2
• Hate beyond the incident: Exploring the presence/absence dynamics of ‘hate relationships’ through geotrauma and haunting
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2025). Hate beyond the incident: Exploring the presence/absence dynamics of ‘hate relationships’ through geotrauma and haunting. Geoforum, 162, Article 104274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104274
• Dis/ableist criminology and domestic colonisation: conceptualising disabled people's experience of hate and home-based violence
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (2025). Dis/ableist criminology and domestic colonisation: conceptualising disabled people’s experience of hate and home-based violence. Disability and Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2478053
• Exploring the effectiveness of media in communicating public health messages to people with learning disabilities during the pandemic
  
  Macdonald, S. J., & Wilde, A. (2025). Exploring the effectiveness of media in communicating public health messages to people with learning disabilities during the pandemic. Disability and Society, 40(5), 1176-1194. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2024.2333017
• Domestic colonisation: The centrality of the home in experiences of home‐takeovers and hate relationships
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2024). Domestic colonisation: The centrality of the home in experiences of home‐takeovers and hate relationships. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 49(3), Article e12660. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12660
• Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Husband, M. (2024). Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation. Disability and Society, 39(2), 485-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2071680
• Re-Conceptualising Repeat Reports of Hate Crime/Incidents as Hate Relationships Based on Coercive Control and Space for Action
  
  Donovan, C., Macdonald, S., & Clayton, J. (2023). Re-Conceptualising Repeat Reports of Hate Crime/Incidents as Hate Relationships Based on Coercive Control and Space for Action. Sociological Research Online, 28(2), 502–517. https://doi.org/10.1177/13607804211065052
• ‘I may be left with no choice but to end my torment’: disability and intersectionalities of hate crime
  
  MacDonald, S. J., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (2023). ‘I may be left with no choice but to end my torment’: disability and intersectionalities of hate crime. Disability and Society, 38(1), 127-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1928480
• 'We capture their comments before we leave the station': Service user involvement in the delivery of Appropriate Adult Schemes
  
  Peacock, D., Macdonald, S., Podd, W., & Cosgrove, F. (2023). ’We capture their comments before we leave the station’: Service user involvement in the delivery of Appropriate Adult Schemes. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 24(1), 28-49.
• Living with hate relationships: familiar encounters, enduring racisms and geographies of entrapment
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. (2022). Living with hate relationships: familiar encounters, enduring racisms and geographies of entrapment. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 40(1), 60-79.
• “What’s wrong with you, are you stupid?” Listening to the biographical narratives of adults with dyslexia in an age of ‘inclusive’ and ‘anti-discriminatory’ practice
  
  Deacon, L., Macdonald, S., & Donaghue, J. (2022). “What’s wrong with you, are you stupid?” Listening to the biographical narratives of adults with dyslexia in an age of ‘inclusive’ and ‘anti-discriminatory’ practice. Disability and Society, 37(3), 406-426. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2020.1815522
• Interdisciplinary disability research in the time of a pandemic
  
  Lid, I., Katsui, H., McLaughlin, J., Macdonald, S., Ljuslinder, K., & Tarvainen, M. (2021). Interdisciplinary disability research in the time of a pandemic. Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, 23(1), 207-208. https://doi.org/10.16993/sjdr.845
• ‘The silence’: examining the missing voices of disabled people in police custody
  
  Macdonald, S., Peacock, D., Cosgrove, F., & Podd, W. (2021). ‘The silence’: examining the missing voices of disabled people in police custody. Disability and Society, 36(1), 19-37. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2020.1712190
• A Rationale for the Use of Case Reports in Special Education: The Significance of Detailed Descriptions of Assessment and Intervention Scenarios for Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap
  
  Grünke, M., Hord, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2021). A Rationale for the Use of Case Reports in Special Education: The Significance of Detailed Descriptions of Assessment and Intervention Scenarios for Bridging the Research-to-Practice Gap. Insights into Learning Disabilities, 18(1), 91-101.
• Therapeutic institutions of violence: conceptualising the biographical narratives of mental health service users/survivors accessing long term “treatment” in England
  
  Macdonald, S. (2020). Therapeutic institutions of violence: conceptualising the biographical narratives of mental health service users/survivors accessing long term “treatment” in England. Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 7(2), 179-194. https://doi.org/10.1108/jcrpp-02-2020-0027
• Removing disabling barriers in policing: Dyslexia and literacy difficulties in the police service
  
  Macdonald, S. J., & Cosgrove, F. (2020). Removing disabling barriers in policing: Dyslexia and literacy difficulties in the police service. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles, 93(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x19862008
• New directions in hate reporting research: agency, heterogeneity and relationality
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Macdonald, S. (2019). New directions in hate reporting research: agency, heterogeneity and relationality. Sociological Research Online, 24(2), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1177/1360780418798848
• From ‘Disordered’ To ‘Diverse’: Defining Six Sociological Frameworks Employed in the Study of Dyslexia in the UK
  
  Macdonald, S. (2019). From ‘Disordered’ To ‘Diverse’: Defining Six Sociological Frameworks Employed in the Study of Dyslexia in the UK. Insights into Learning Disabilities, 16(1), 1-22.
• Twice upon a time: Examining the effect socio-economic status has on the experience of dyslexia in the United Kingdom
  
  Macdonald, S., & Deacon, L. (2019). Twice upon a time: Examining the effect socio-economic status has on the experience of dyslexia in the United Kingdom. Dyslexia, 25(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1606
• Dyslexia and policing: Understanding the impact that dyslexia has in the police service in England and Wales
  
  Macdonald, S., & Cosgrove, F. (2019). Dyslexia and policing: Understanding the impact that dyslexia has in the police service in England and Wales. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 38(6), 634-651. https://doi.org/10.1108/edi-11-2018-0218
• Marketing ‘madness’: conceptualising service user/survivor biographies in a period of deinstitutionalisation (1975–2014)
  
  Macdonald, S., Charnock, A., & Scutt, J. (2018). Marketing ‘madness’: conceptualising service user/survivor biographies in a period of deinstitutionalisation (1975–2014). Disability and Society, 33(6), 849-865. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1463195
• ‘The invisible enemy’: disability, loneliness and isolation
  
  Macdonald, S., Deacon, L., Nixon, J., Akintola, A., Gillingham, A., Kent, J., Ellis, G., Mathews, D., Ismail, A., Sullivan, S., Dore, S., & Highmore, L. (2018). ‘The invisible enemy’: disability, loneliness and isolation. Disability and Society, 33(7), 1138-1159. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2018.1476224
• ‘Loneliness in the city’: examining socio-economics, loneliness and poor health in the North East of England
  
  Macdonald, S., Nixon, J., & Deacon, L. (2018). ‘Loneliness in the city’: examining socio-economics, loneliness and poor health in the North East of England. Public Health, 165, 88-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2018.09.003
• The loss: Conceptualising biographical experiences of disability, social isolation and emotional loneliness in North-East England
  
  Deacon, L., Macdonald, S., Nixon, J., Akintola, A., Dore, S., Ellis, G., Gillingham, A., Highmore, L., Ismail, A., Kent, J., Matthews, D., & Sullivan, S. (2018). The loss: Conceptualising biographical experiences of disability, social isolation and emotional loneliness in North-East England. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 20(3), 68-87.
• The disability bias: understanding the context of hate in comparison with other minority populations
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (2017). The disability bias: understanding the context of hate in comparison with other minority populations. Disability and Society, 32(4), 483-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2017.1304206
• Mad studies and social work: Conceptualising the subjectivities of service user/survivors who experience significant mental health problems
  
  Macdonald, S., Charnock, A., & Scutt, J. (2017). Mad studies and social work: Conceptualising the subjectivities of service user/survivors who experience significant mental health problems. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 19(3), 98-118.
• A Critical Portrait of Hate Crime/Incident Reporting in North East England: The Value of Statistical Data and the Politics of Recording in an Age of Austerity
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2016). A Critical Portrait of Hate Crime/Incident Reporting in North East England: The Value of Statistical Data and the Politics of Recording in an Age of Austerity. Geoforum, 75, 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.001
• “Too Far Gone”: Dyslexia, Homelessness, and Pathways to Drug Use and Dependency
  
  Macdonald, S., LDeacon, L., & Merchant, J. (2016). “Too Far Gone”: Dyslexia, Homelessness, and Pathways to Drug Use and Dependency. Insights into Learning Disabilities, 13(2), 117-134.
• ‘Community fear and harassment’: learning difficulties and hate crime incidents in the north-east of England
  
  Macdonald, S. (2015). ‘Community fear and harassment’: learning difficulties and hate crime incidents in the north-east of England. Disability and Society, 30(3), 353-367. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2015.1009000
• Tom Campbell. Dyslexia: the government of reading
  
  Macdonald, S. J. (2015). Tom Campbell. Dyslexia: the government of reading. Disability and Society, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2014.964508
• 'Patient zero': A critical investigation of the concept of public and patient involvement in the national health service
  
  MacDonald, S., & Taylor-Gooby, D. (2014). ’Patient zero’: A critical investigation of the concept of public and patient involvement in the national health service. Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 17(1), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.1921/6503170103
• ‘No sanctuary’: Missed opportunities in health and social services for homeless people with dyslexia?
  
  Macdonald, S., & Deacon, L. (2014). ‘No sanctuary’: Missed opportunities in health and social services for homeless people with dyslexia? Social Work and Social Sciences Review, 17(3), 78-93. https://doi.org/10.1921/13103170307
• Back to the future, disability and the digital divide
  
  Macdonald, S., & Clayton, J. (2013). Back to the future, disability and the digital divide. Disability and Society, 28(5), 702-718. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.732538
• Biographical pathways into criminality: Understanding the relationship between dyslexia and educational disengagement
  
  Macdonald, S. (2012). Biographical pathways into criminality: Understanding the relationship between dyslexia and educational disengagement. Disability and Society, 27(3), 427-440. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2012.654992
• “Journey's end”: statistical pathways into offending for adults with specific learning difficulties
  
  Macdonald, S. J. (2012). “Journey’s end”: statistical pathways into offending for adults with specific learning difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1108/20420921211280079
• Sociology in Practice: Dyslexia Action Needed.
  
  Macdonald, S., & Cappleman-Morgan, J. (2012). Sociology in Practice: Dyslexia Action Needed. BRITISH SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION NETWORK, 112(3).
• Towards a social reality of dyslexia
  
  Macdonald, S. (2010). Towards a social reality of dyslexia. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(4), 271-279. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3156.2009.00601.x
• The Role of Patient Involvement in Practice Based Commissioning within the UK's National Health Service
  
  Macdonald, S., & Taylor-Gooby, D. (2010). The Role of Patient Involvement in Practice Based Commissioning within the UK’s National Health Service. ECONOMICS OF MEDICINE, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.9754/journal.wmc.2010.00853
• Windows of reflection: Conceptualizing dyslexia using the social model of disability
  
  Macdonald, S. (2009). Windows of reflection: Conceptualizing dyslexia using the social model of disability. Dyslexia, 15(4), 347-362. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.391

Monograph

• Exploring ‘hate relationships’ through Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., Macdonald, S., Cosmina, U., & Knight, M. (2021). Exploring ‘hate relationships’ through Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service. Durham University.
• Digital Challenge Evaluation. Sunderland: Department of Community and Local Government.
  
  Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., & Wilcock, A. (2010). Digital Challenge Evaluation. Sunderland: Department of Community and Local Government. Department of Community and Local Government.
• Evaluation of Patient Involvement in Primary Care Trusts in East Durham.
  
  Macdonald, S., & Taylor-Gooby, D. (2010). Evaluation of Patient Involvement in Primary Care Trusts in East Durham. Department of Health.

Other (Print)

• Exploring third party reporting across categories of hate in Tyne and Wear.
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. (2016). Exploring third party reporting across categories of hate in Tyne and Wear (pp. 1-4). NORTH EAST RACE EQUALITY FORUM.

Report

• Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report Executive Summary
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., Long, C., Dutt, A., Jain, V., & Rabe, J. (2024). Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report Executive Summary. Durham and Northumbria University.

Working Paper

• Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., MacDonald, S., Long, C., Dutt, A., & Jain, V. (2024). Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report. Durham University.