Dr. McMahon, K.

Kate McMahon is a post-doc researcher in the Department of Design, Organization, and Strategy interested in reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and other strategies for lifetime extension and waste prevention of electrical and electronic equipment.

Academic Background

Her work centers around the RePlanIT project, which seeks to develop a tool that will facilitate organizations to make circular decisions about the procurement, maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of their laptops and data servers. The project also focuses on how best to facilitate organizational behavior change in the acceptance and use of the tool.

Kate's research interests lie broadly in the prevention of electrical and electronic waste generation through sustainable and circular policies and initiatives. She has largely worked in policy influencing research with governmental and organizational decision makers, as well as the 'on the ground' workers in reuse and recycling processes. 

Alongside her work at TU Delft, Kate is working with the UN's International Labour Organization to set up a string of projects examining the job creation potential of e-waste treatment (reuse, refurbishment, recycling) in developing countries and especially the creation of 'decent work' opportunities for marginalized communities.

Education

• 2017 – 2021
  PhD, Thesis Title: Advancing the Circular Economy in Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Exploring Preparation for Reuse, Export for Reuse, and the Creation of Decent Work, University of Limerick
• 2015 – 2026
  Master of Science, Sustainable Resource Management: Policy and Practice, National University of Ireland Galway & University of Limerick
• 2009 – 2013
  Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences, Florida State University