Research interests: evaluation of service development and delivery; applied gendered violence research; participatory action research

Current research:

• Effective strategies for intervention, monitoring, and accountability in response to individuals who perpetrate domestic, family, and/or sexual violence.
• Trauma-informed responses that prioritise the safety, recovery, and long-term wellbeing of victim-survivors of domestic, family, and/or sexual violence.
• Strengthening integrated service responses to domestic, family, and sexual violence through cross-sector analysis and evaluation.
• Development and application of evaluation methodologies to assess program effectiveness in real-world settings to inform policy, enhance service delivery, and support continuous improvement across sectors.

University of Queensland

Queensland University of Technology

University of South Australia

Central Queensland University

University of Queensland

James Cook University

University of South Australia

Doctor of Philosophy - Population Health

Master of Social Science (Health Practice)

Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services) - Social Health

Graduate Certificate of Writing, Editing and Publishing

Graduate Certificate of Creative Writing

Associate Supervisor - PhD students, CQUniversity

Associate Supervisor - PhD student, Technische Universitat Berlin

Lecturer, Health Behaviour - University of Queensland

Co-Supervisor - Master of Public Health student, University of Queensland

2016 to present: Senior Research Fellow, Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, CQUniversity

2014 to 2015: Post-doctoral Research Fellow/Team Leader, Wesley Medical Research

2011 to 2012: Senior Research Officer, Health Promotion - Tropical Regional Services, Queensland Health

2010: Senior Research Officer (casual) - James Cook University Clinical School

2009: Education Officer (casual) - Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, CQUniversity

2001 to 2003: Senior Research Officer - School of Population Health, University of Queensland

1998 to 2000: Project Coordinator/Research Assistant - Centre for Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention Research, University of Queensland

1996 to 1997: Community Development Officer, Mackay City Council

Australian Evaluation Society

• McDermott L, Hotten J, Lovatt H. (2024) Evaluation of the Strangulation Trauma Centre – Final Report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared for the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General
• McDermott L, Lovatt H. (2024) Investment Specifications Review Project – Options Paper. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared for the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General
• McDermott L. (2023) Connection Program Evaluation Report, prepared for UnitingCare Queensland, February 2023
• McDermott L, Carswell S, Lowik V & Boardman E. (2022) Review of the outcome measurement tools and processes used by Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Services (WHWSS). Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of the Department of Justice and the Attorney-General
• McDermott L, Pieterse M. Meyer, S. (2021) Review of the effectiveness of P.R.A.D.O. (Caboolture). Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Carswell S, McDermott L. (2020) Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support Services – Evaluation Phase 2 Report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Meyer S, Hine L, McDermott L. (2019) Caring Dads Trial Evaluation (Queensland) Final report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Meyer S, Hine L, McDermott L, Eggins E. (2019) Walking with Dads Trial Evaluation Final report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Lovatt H, McDermott L, Cheyne N, Honorato B. (2019) Evaluation of the North Queensland Combined Women’s Service Sexual Assault Response Team Trial: Final report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Lovatt H, McDermott L, Cheyne N, Honorato B. (2018) Evaluation of the North Queensland Combined Women’s Service Sexual Assault Response Team Trial: Mid-point report. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
• Lovatt H, McDermott L, Cheyne N. (2018) Evaluation of the North Queensland Combined Women’s Service Sexual Assault Response Team Trial: Literature review and baseline analysis. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
• Lovatt H, McDermott L, Cheyne N. (2018) Early implementation evaluation report for the Integrated Service Response Trial: Logan-Beenleigh, Mount Isa, Cherbourg. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
• McDermott L, Cheyne N, Taylor A. (2017) Evidence-based review of Queensland Police Service’s domestic and family violence training. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Report prepared on behalf of Queensland Police Service
• McDermott L, Cheyne N, Taylor A. (2016) Police education and training in domestic and family violence: national and international trends and best practices. Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, Central Queensland University. Scoping report prepared on behalf of Queensland Police Service
• Tynan A, McDermott L, Mactaggart F, Gericke CA. (2015) Achieving good health and wellbeing in rural Australia: perceptions of older men. In: Gordon Gregory, Proceedings of the 13th National Rural Health Conference. 13th National Rural Health Conference, Darwin, Australia. May 24th - 27th
• Wesley Research Institute. (2015) Improving health and wellbeing in regional Queensland – Surat Basin and Gladstone. Summary Health Needs Assessment (Report 1). Report prepared on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG
• Wesley Research Institute. (2015) Improving health and wellbeing in regional Queensland – Surat Basin and Gladstone. Complete Health Needs Assessment (Report 2) 2014-2015. Report prepared on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG
• Hansen K & McDermott L. (2014) Pilot project to individualise block funding arrangements: Final project report. Report prepared on behalf of Bowen Flexi Care Inc.
• McDermott L. (2013) Business Case Study: Men’s Shed, Moranbah. Report prepared on behalf of Moranbah and District Support Services
• McDermott L & Kingston T. (2012) Needs analysis: Women’s shelter and men’s shed in Moranbah. Report prepared by the Regional Social Development Centre on behalf of Moranbah and District Support Services
• McDermott L. (2012) Mining employees’ fly-in fly-out work practices and chronic disease: A review of the literature. Report prepared on behalf of Tropical Regional Services, Division of the Chief Health Officer, Queensland Health
• McDermott L, Rae D, Stevens C, Hopkinson S, Ruddock S, Spandley K et al. (2011) Social issues relating to permanent and non-permanent residents in the Moranbah mining community. Report prepared by the Regional Social Development Centre on behalf of Isaac Regional Council
• Women’s Health Australia (contributor). (2009) Reproductive health: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Final report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
• Owen N, Dobson A, McDermott L, Gallois C, Leslie E, Gale J. (2003) Young women and smoking: an investigation of factors influencing young Queensland women to initiate, maintain and stop smoking tobacco. Final project report, prepared for Queensland Health
• McDermott L, Russell A, Dobson A. (2002) Cigarette smoking among women in Australia. National Tobacco Strategy 1999 to2002-03 occasional paper. Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, Canberra
• Russell A, Dobson A, McDermott L. (2001) Smoking patterns in young women: Evidence from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Report for the National Tobacco Strategy, prepared for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care
• Lowe J, McDermott L. (2001) Early childhood sun safety storybook. Final project report, prepared for Queensland Health
• Lowe J, McDermott L, Clavarino A, Stanton W, Balanda K. (2001) Promoting the desirability of a suntan among adolescents: An investigation of socio-cultural factors.  Final project report, prepared for Queensland Health
• Saeck L, Lowe J, McDermott L, Stevens C, Del Mar C. (1999) GP register evaluation. Final project report, prepared for Brisbane Southside Central Division of General Practice
• McDermott L, McIntosh HJ. (1998) Asthma Management in Primary and Secondary Schools in Mackay district. Final project report, prepared for Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services
• McDermott L. (1997) South West Mackay Community Healthy Lifestyle Project. Final project report, prepared for Queensland Health Promotion Council.

2011 to 2023 - Research and Evaluation Consultant for a range of projects commissioned by local government and not-for-profit organisations. Projects included: Connection Program; Community Leadership Program; Pilot Project to Individualise Block Funded Arrangements; Healthy Rural Communities; Active Towns; Healthy Active Whitsunday Region; Men’s Shed Business Case Study.