In late October, colleagues, collaborators, and friends gathered at the University of Edinburgh to celebrate Professor Fiona Mackay’s career and retirement — a joyful and moving two-day event honouring her profound contributions to feminist political science and to the Feminism and Institutionalism International Network (FIIN).
Professor Mackay, Professor of Politics at the University of Edinburgh and founding co-director of FIIN, has been central to shaping feminist institutionalism as a field of study. Her scholarship has transformed how we understand gendered power, institutional continuity and change, and the mechanisms that sustain or challenge gender inequalities within political and organisational life.
Across her career, she has advanced research on nested newness, institutional innovation, and the role of informal institutions in shaping gendered outcomes. Her publications — often co-authored with feminist “critical friends” — include landmark works such as:
- Gender, Politics and Institutions: Towards a Feminist Institutionalism (with Mona Lena Krook)
- New Institutionalism Through a Gender Lens (with Meryl Kenny & Louise Chappell)
- Nested Newness, Institutional Innovation, and the Gendered Limits of Change
- Influential writing on feminist leadership, governance, and informal institutions
- Research on constitutional change and gender in Scotland, and collaborations with UN Women
Beyond her scholarly achievements, Fiona has built institutions, communities, and people. As a founding co-director of FIIN, she has mentored generations of feminist scholars and helped nurture a collaborative, multi-generational intellectual community rooted in feminist ethics of care and shared learning. FIIN’s continued vitality is a testament to her leadership and vision.
Highlights from the Celebration
The retirement event reflected Fiona’s academic and community legacy, and included:
- Welcomes and reflections from colleagues
- A Salon on Feminist Leadership in the Academy, featuring speakers from Edinburgh, UNSW, and Strathclyde
- A roundtable on Building Feminist Institutions and Building Feminist Institutionalism, chaired by Professor Toni Haastrup
- Contributions from scholars and practitioners across the world
- A closing reception with speeches, food, and a performance by the SPS Choir
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the celebration and to honouring Fiona’s tremendous legacy.
Thank You, Fiona!
FIIN would not be the same without Professor Mackay’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to feminist collaboration. We celebrate her many achievements and look forward to continuing to build on the foundations she has laid for feminist institutionalism.