Professor Elisabeth Mapstone OBE (1925–2013): A Trailblazer in Social Work and Equality
Professor Elisabeth Mapstone was a pioneering academic, activist, and the first female professor at the University of Dundee. A leading figure in social work and social policy, her ground-breaking research shaped social care in Scotland, particularly in support of children and vulnerable communities.
After earning a first-class degree in sociology from the London School of Economics at a time when few women attended university, she pursued a career in child welfare and social work research. She later completed a master’s at Brunel University before moving to Scotland in 1969. In 1975, she returned to Scotland and joined the University of Dundee as the first female Professor of Political Science and Social Policy, where she remained for nearly two decades. The ground-breaking work of Mapstone and her team in social care placed Dundee’s social work department on the map, influencing national policy in social care, particularly in relation to children. In 1986 Mapstone received an OBE in recognition of her services to social work and contributions to social care.
Even in retirement, Professor Mapstone remained a dedicated advocate for social justice. She chaired Age Concern Dundee, played a key role in its relocation to Caird Avenue, and actively supported the Carolina House Trust. Her commitment to improving lives extended well into her eighties.
See further:
The Herald, obituary for Professor Mapstone.
To honour her legacy, the Annual Mapstone Lecture celebrates inspirational women and their contributions to academia, leadership, and social change. The lecture series, supported by her family, forms part of the University’s commitment to advancing gender equality, celebrating women’s leadership and successful career development, a mission reflected in its Athena Swan Bronze Awards.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we continue to be inspired by Professor Mapstone’s vision as one of leadership, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of equality.
The Annual Mapstone Lecture
2022
Hilary Corrick, step-daughter of Professor Elisabeth Mapstone OBE, presented the first inaugural lecture: ‘Elisabeth Mapstone: Her Life and Legacy‘.
2024
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain gave the second Mapstone lecture: ‘Giving voice to the vulnerable: Achieving fairness in the justice system’.
2025
Dr Leonie Bell, Director of V&A Dundee: Design Dreams in Dundee – A Creative Leadership Journey
Book your place at this FREE event: Thursday 27 March 2025, from 17.00 in LT4, Dalhousie Building.