Dr Lindsey McCarthy BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Fellow
Summary
Dr Lindsey McCarthy is a Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Fellow at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (CRESR). She has experience in a range of qualitative research methods and techniques used in a variety of fieldwork settings, and with a number of different participant groups, including high-level professionals and those facing multiple disadvantage.
About
Lindsey’s research broadly focuses on the needs, experiences and service encounters of people facing multiple disadvantage. Cutting across this work is an interest in how poverty, homelessness, trauma and other inequalities overlap and interconnect. Lindsey’s most recent work, as part of a SHU Early Career Fellowship, has explored how homelessness practitioners understand trauma, and how such understandings translate into practice through their implementation of trauma-informed approaches. This work further unpacks how trauma-informed approaches operate on the ground, how they vary between services, and the extent to which they reflect the reality of practice in homelessness services.
Lindsey's PhD, completed in 2015 at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, explored homeless women's experiences and constructions of home, homelessness and identity, and employed participatory visual methodologies (participant-led photography and 'photo elicitation' techniques).
While at CRESR, Lindsey has developed expertise in delivering extensive policy-focused research and evaluations for national governments and government departments, charities and public sector health bodies.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ interests
- Experiences of homelessness and multiple disadvantage
- Trauma and trauma-informed approaches
- Marginalised groups and identities
- Qualitative data collection and analysis
Teaching
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
- Social and Economic Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute
2024-2025 Let Zero: towards retrofit for cost-effective, healthier and net zero rented properties, Innovate UK.
2023-2025 A qualitative study of lived experience support work with adults facing multiple disadvantage, BA/Leverhulme.
2023 The financial impact of pet ownership in rental properties: a cost-benefit analysis, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, University of Huddersfield.
2022-2027 Active Travel Portfolio Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Evaluation Programme, Department for Transport.
2022-2024 Review of Supported Housing across Britain, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
2022-2023 Supported Housing Review, DLUHC / DWP.
2022-2025 Justheat: A social and cultural history of home heating, the Collaboration of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe.
2021-2022 A critical exploration of trauma-informed approaches in the homelessness sector, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Early Career Ï㽶ÊÓƵer Fellowship.
2021-2022 Evaluation for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant: Year 1 Evaluation, OHID.
2020-2021 Evaluation of Ask and Act, Welsh Government.
2020-2021 Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into LA Enforcement and Property Guardians, MHCLG.
2019-2021 Fulfilling Lives Lambeth Southwark Lewisham: Evaluation and Learning Partner, New Philanthropy Capital.
2019-2020 Rough Sleeping Evaluation, Public Health England.
2018-2020 Evaluation and Learning Partner, The Nationwide Foundation.
2018-2019 Complex Needs Process Evaluation, MHCLG.
2017-2020 BRC First Call Evaluation, British Red Cross.
Publications
Key Publications
Mccarthy, L., Parr, S., Green, S., & Reeve, K. (2020). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Journal articles
Ambrose, A., Davies, K., McCarthy, L., Shaw, B., & Shahzad, S. (2025). . Energy Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Social Science, 126.
Mccarthy, L., & Simcock, T. (2024). . International Journal of Housing Policy.
Redman, J., Fletcher, D., White, R., & Mccarthy, L. (2022). . Journal of Social Policy.
Mccarthy, L., & Parr, S. (2022). . Housing Studies.
Pattison, B., & Mccarthy, L. (2020). . Social Policy and Society.
Mccarthy, L. (2019). . Housing Studies.
Ambrose, A., & Mccarthy, L. (2019). . Energy Policy, 126, 165-176.
Mccarthy, L. (2017). . Housing Studies, 33 (6), 960-985.
Green, S., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . People, Place and Policy, 9 (3), 159-178.
Mccarthy, L. (2013). . Graduate Journal of Social Science, 10 (2), 76-105.
Mccarthy, L. (2013). . People, place and policy online, 7 (1), 46-58.
Conference papers
Mccarthy, L. (2015). . In Housing Studies Association Conference, York, 8 April 2015 - 10 April 2015.
Reports
Ambrose, A., McCarthy, L., & Davies, K. (2025). Justheat: A summary of key findings across the four countries. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/justheat-summary-of-key-findings
Ambrose, A., Shaw, B., Palm, J., Pelsmakers, S., Aho, H., Castano Rosa, R., ... Vornicu, A. (2025). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/justheat-summary-of-key-findings
Beatty, C., Bimpson, E., Gilbertson, J., McCarthy, L., Sanderson, E., & Wilson, I. (2024). . Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Mccarthy, L., Arbell, Y., Ambrose, A., Ashworth, T., Lannon, S., Raslan, R., & Schaefer, E. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/decarbonising-off-grid-homes-evidence-review
Simcock, T., Mccarthy, L., Kara, A., & Brown, P. (2024). . University of Huddersfield. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-financial-impact-of-pet-ownership-in-rental-properties
Simcock, T., Mccarthy, L., Kara, A., & Brown, P. (2024). . University of Huddersfield. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-financial-impact-of-pet-ownership-in-rental-properties---summary-briefing
Mccarthy, L., Ambrose, A., Davies, K., Jiglau, G., Kilpeläinen, S., Palm, J., ... Vornicu, A. (2023). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/domestic-heating-transitions-a-literature-review
Formby, E., Reeve, K., Mccarthy, L., Parr, S., & Batty, E. (2022). LGBT people’s experiences of homelessness. Government Equalities Office.
Mccarthy, L. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/trauma-informed-approaches-in-homelessness-practice
Bimpson, E., Reeve, K., Batty, E., Chambers, J., Goodchild, B., Mccarthy, L., ... Wilson, I. (2022). Local authority enforcement in the private rented sector: headline report.
Harris, C., Mccarthy, L., Speake, B., Hulbert, A., & Clifford, J. (2022). . Welsh Government.
Archer, T., & Mccarthy, L. (2021). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/community-led-housing-and-the-speed-of-development-briefing-note
Ambrose, A., Gilbertson, J., Speake, B., Bimpson, E., Mccarthy, L., & Ramsden, S. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Gilbertson, J., Bashir, N., Mccarthy, L., & Tod, A. (2019). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Archer, T., Crisp, R., Ferrari, E., Green, S., Mccarthy, L., Moore, T., ... Sacranie, H. (2019). . Joseph Rowntree Foundation. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/scaling-up-social-lettings-scope-impact-and-barriers
Crisp, R., Ferrari, E., Gore, T., Green, S., Mccarthy, L., Rae, A., ... Stevens, M. (2018). . York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Reeve, K., Mccarthy, L., Pattison, B., Parr, S., Batty, E., Maye-Banbury, A., ... Dayson, C. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-mental-health-needs-of-nottinghams-homeless-population-an-exploratory-research-study
Reeve, K., Mccarthy, L., Pattison, B., Parr, S., Batty, E., Maye-Banbury, A., ... Dayson, C. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-mental-health-needs-of-nottinghams-homeless-population--executive-summary
Gilbertson, J., Leather, D., Mccarthy, L., & Wilson, I. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/an-evaluation-of-cash-smart-credit-savvy-final-report
Archer, T., Green, S., Leather, D., Mccarthy, L., Wilson, I., Robinson, D., & Tait, M. (2018). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/older-peoples-housing-care-and-support-needs-in-greater-cambridge-2017-2036
Batty, E., Foden, M., Green, S., Mccarthy, L., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2017). . Cardiff: Welsh Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-extra-care-housing-in-wales
Batty, E., Foden, M., Green, S., Mccarthy, L., Robinson, D., & Wilson, I. (2017). . Cardiff: Welsh Government. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-extra-care-housing-in-wales-executive-summary
Crisp, R., Gore, T., & Mccarthy, L. (2017). Addressing transport barriers to work in low income neighbourhoods : a review of evidence and practice. Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Ambrose, A., Mccarthy, L., & Pinder, J. (2017). . Kendal: Eaga. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/energy-in-efficiency-what-tenants-expect-and-endure-in-private-rented-housing---research-summary
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Mccarthy, L., Chowbey, P., & Ismail, M. (2016). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-the-most-of-primary-and-community-services-what-works-for-bame-people-with-long-term--summary
Bashir, N., Dayson, C., Mccarthy, L., Ismail, M., & Chowbey, P. (2016). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/making-the-most-of-primary-and-community-services-what-works-for-bame-people-with-long-term
Ambrose, A., Mccarthy, L., & Pinder, J. (2016). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/energy-in-efficiency-what-tenants-expect-and-endure-in-private-rented-housing
Crisp, R., Mccarthy, L., Parr, S., Pearson, S., & Berry, N. (2016). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/community-led-approaches-to-reducing-poverty-in-neighbourhoods-a-review-of-evidence-and-practice
Mccarthy, L., Ambrose, A., & Pinder, J. (2016). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/energy-inefficiency-exploring-what-tenants-expect-and-endure-in-the-private-rented-sector-in-england
Cole, I., Green, S., Mccarthy, L., & Pattison, B. (2015). . Parliament Website: Communities and Local Government Select Committee.
Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/tenancy-sustainment-amongst-those-aged-under-35-final-report
Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/tenancy-sustainment-amongst-those-aged-under-35-executive-summary
Mccarthy, L., Batty, E., Beatty, C., Casey, R., Foden, M., & Reeve, K. (2015). . London: Crisis. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/homeless-peoples-experiences-of-welfare-conditionality-and-benefit-sanctions
Batty, E., Beatty, C., Casey, R., Foden, M., Mccarthy, L., & Reeve, K. (2015). . Crisis. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/homeless-peoples-experiences-of-welfare-conditionality-and-benefit-sanctions-executive-summary
Bamonte, J., Bashir, N., Chowbey, P., Dayson, C., Gore, T., Ismail, M., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/increasing-the-uptake-of-primary-and-community-long-term-conditions-services-in-black-and-minority
Beatty, C., Foden, M., Mccarthy, L., & Reeve, K. (2015). . Crisis. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/benefit-sanctions-and-homelessness-a-scoping-report
Green, S., Mccarthy, L., Reeve, K., Cole, I., & Batty, E. (2015). . London: Crisis UK. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-sharing-solutions-programme
McCarthy, L., Parr, S., Green, S., & Reeve, K. (n.d.). Understanding Models of Support for People Facing Multiple Disadvantage: A Literature Review. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
McCarthy, L., Ambrose, A., & Pinder, J. (n.d.). Energy (In)Efficiency: Exploring what tenants expect and endure in the private rented sector in England. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Theses / Dissertations
Greenwood, R.J. (2025). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by McCarthy, L., & Reeve, K.
Mccarthy, L.J. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Reeve, K., & Casey, R.
Other publications
McCarthy, L. (2025). . Informa UK Limited:
Mccarthy, L. (2020). . Informa UK Limited:
McCarthy, L. (n.d.). Book Review - Gender Equality in the Welfare State? Ï㽶ÊÓƵ:
Other activities
CRESR PhD Forum Coordinator (joint)
Postgraduate supervision
Lindsey's current and recent experience as a PhD supervisor:
- Emma Wallace (commenced 2024) - ‘Exploring the intersection of Trauma-informed Approaches with models of conditionality and non-conditionality in housing services for the multiply disadvantaged’ (Director of Studies)
- Alex Norton (commenced 2022) - ‘Understanding trauma through the experience of homelessness: analysing life histories of the rough sleeping homeless’ (Director of Studies).
- Rebecca Greenwood (commenced 2021-2025) - ‘Exploring the role of informal urban community support in homeless women’s sense of dignity’ (Director of studies).
- Sophie Negus (2017-2021) - ‘The branding of welfare assistance: an exploration of in-work claimants’ experiences’ (Second supervisor).
- Jess Scott (commenced 2021) - ‘Understanding ‘home’ for adults aged 18-35 living in long-term residential care’ (Second supervisor).
Lindsey would welcome enquiries around supervising doctoral research in the following broad areas:
- Homelessness and housing exclusion
- Trauma / trauma-informed approaches
- The meaning of home