SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Mary McMahon
Is an Honorary Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, School of Education. Mary is a developer and co-author of the Systems Theory Framework of career development.
My research focuses on career development across the lifespan, narrative and systems approaches
to career counselling, and qualitative career assessment. I am currently working on projects related
to refugees and young adults with intellectual disability and their parents and career guidance
practice and school guidance counsellors.
My work on the Systems Theory Framework has a lifelong development focus. I recently co-edited a
special issue of the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling on career development in childhood
which has long been a focus of my work and is an area that has not always been given as much
attention as the career development of adolescents and adults. I also recently co-edited 2 special
issues of the Journal for Specialists in Group Work, one on school age populations and one on post-
school age populations.
Recent publications:
The following articles are available through open access.
McMahon, M., & Patton, W. (2022). The Systems Theory Framework of career development: News of
difference and a journey towards acceptance. Australian Journal of Career Development, 31, 195-
200. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10384162221120464
Abkhezr, P., & McMahon, M. (2022). The intersections of migration, app-based gig work, and
sustainable career development: Implications for career practice and research. International Journal
for Educational and Vocational Guidance. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10775-022-09556-w
Watson, M., & McMahon, M. (2022). Critical perspectives on childhood career developmental
learning: Expanding horizons. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 50, 474-480.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/03069885.2022.2063255
McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2022). Career development learning in childhood: A critical analysis.
British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 50, 345-350.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/03069885.2022.2062701
McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2021). Group work in career development: Post-school age
populations. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 46, 143-145.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/01933922.2021.1910441
Watson, M., & McMahon, M. (2021). Group work in career development: School age populations.
The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 46, 1-5. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/01933922.2020.1862558