Staff profile

Catherine joined the Department of Sociology in September 2018 as Professor of Sociology after spending 23 years at the University of Sunderland. Catherine gained her BA Social Studies at the University of Newcastle, her Masters in Women’s Studies at York University and her PhD at Edinburgh University. She is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. At Durham she is co-convening the Postgraduate option module Gender, Violence and Abuse (SOCI4060) and convenor for the Undergraduate option module Sociology Community Placement (SOC13511).

Catherine’s current research interests are the use of violent and abusive behaviours by lesbians, gay men, bisexual women and men and/or trans people in their intimate relationships; the implications of love for making sense of and addressing domestic violence and abuse; hate crime/incidents and hate relationships and student safety. She is also currently developing a research project to explore elder abuse of LGB and/or T people.

Catherine welcomes enquiries about supervision from students who want to write an undergraduate, masters or doctoral dissertation on any of these topics as well as, more broadly topics exploring gender and sexuality.

Selected Grants

Co-Investigator, (2017-2018) Be the Difference, Pilot Active Bystander Project and evaluation, Funder: HEFCE Catalyst Fund and the University of Sunderland (£82,000).

Principal Investigator (2017-2018) Evaluation of Breaking the Cycle, Blackburn Changing Lives, Funder: Changing Lives (£15,000)

Principal Investigator (2006-2017) Three International Seminar Series showcasing research and best practice from around the world, Funder: NRF and University of Sunderland (£51,000)

UoS three month Graduate Internship in Partnership with Advocacy Centre North (2016) evaluating Partners in Health Advocacy Service (£15,000 pro rata)

Co-Investigator (2014-16) ‘Evaluation of the Selfies Project: Informal Sex and Relationships Education for LGBT Young People’, Funder: Projects Galore (£8,000)

Co-Investigator (2015-2016) Two public engagement events in the ESRC Social Science Festival on LGBT sex and relationships education Funder: ESRC (£2,000)

Principal Investigator (2014-15) Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland, Funder: RCTN (£10,000) undertaking a service evaluation of the Northumberland and Tyneside services.

Principal Investigator (2014) ‘Speaking Out: Trans Experiences of Violence and Abuse’ Funder: CASS (£8,000)

Principal Investigator (2014-1015) The Ace Project: Developing an Agenda for Change for Young LGBT People At Risk Of Sexual Exploitation, Funder: NRF (£7,000)

Principal Investigator (2014-2016) The Emerald Project: Exploring Student Safety, Funder CASS and FES (£7,500)

Co-Investigator (2014-2016) ‘Disability and Hate Crime in the North-east of England’ Funder CASS and FES (£8,600)

Principal Investigator (2014) ‘Evaluation of Sunderland City Council New Customer Services Network’ Funder: Sunderland City Council (£5,000)

Principal Investigator (2012-2014) ‘Exploring the Abusive Behaviours of Partners in LGBT Relationships’ Funder: ESRC (£270,000)

Principal Investigator (2014) ‘Evaluation of North East Domestic Abuse Project’ Funder: NRF (£5,000)

Principal Investigator, (2011-13) Impact of the Cuts, two year longitudinal study of the impact of the Coalition Government’s comprehensive spending review on the School’s partner agencies across the North East, Funder: CASS (£8,000)

Principal Investigator (2009-10) Exploration of reasons why so few LGB and or T victim/survivors of domestic violence and abuse are referred to multi-agency risk assessment conferences, Funder: Gateshead Domestic Abuse Partnership and University of Sunderland (£3,000)

Co-Investigator (In collaboration with a colleague in Community and Youth Work) an audit of services for LGBT citizens of Sunderland Funder: City of Sunderland Council (£2000). Output: Report written February 2008

Principal Investigator (2005-2010) ‘Evaluation of NRF Domestic Abuse Intervention Programme’ Funder: NRF (£500,000)

Principal Investigator (2004-2006) ‘Comparing Love and Violence in Heterosexual and Same Sex Relationships’ Funder: ESRC (£195,000)

Authored book

• Queering Narratives of Domestic Violence and Abuse
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2020). Queering Narratives of Domestic Violence and Abuse. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Domestic violence and sexuality : what's love got to do with it?
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2014). Domestic violence and sexuality : what’s love got to do with it?. Policy Press.
• Rights, Risks and Responsibilities
  
  Kearney, J., & Donovan, C. (2011). Rights, Risks and Responsibilities.
• Same sex intimacies
  
  Donovan, C., Weeks, J., & Heaphy, B. (2001). Same sex intimacies. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Chapter in book

• Disablist Hate Relationships: The Impact of ‘Low-Level’ Forms of Community Violence on Disabled People’s Quality-of-Life.
  
  Macdonald, S., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (in press). Disablist Hate Relationships: The Impact of ‘Low-Level’ Forms of Community Violence on Disabled People’s Quality-of-Life. In S. J. Macdonald & D. Peacock (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Disability, Crime, and Justice. Routledge.
• From Isolation to Invasion: Disability and Loneliness as Catalysts for Cuckooing
  
  Macdonald, S., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (in press). From Isolation to Invasion: Disability and Loneliness as Catalysts for Cuckooing. In L. Bainbridge, R. Broad, & A. Loughery (Eds.), Understanding and Preventing ‘Cuckooing’ Victimisation: County Lines and Beyond. Routledge.
• ‘He Made Us a Bit Suicidal to be Honest’: Disability Studies, Hate and Victimisation
  
  Macdonald, S., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (in press). ‘He Made Us a Bit Suicidal to be Honest’: Disability Studies, Hate and Victimisation. In S. Weston & J. Trebilcock (Eds.), Mental Health, Crime and Justice: An Edited Collection. Springer Nature.
• Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration
  
  Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., & Donovan, C. (in press). Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration. In I. Zempi, J. Garland, & J. Smith (Eds.), Familiar faces: hate relationships and the everyday-ness of hate perpetration. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Disability, Mate Crime, and Cuckooing (Home Takeovers).
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (2024). Disability, Mate Crime, and Cuckooing (Home Takeovers). In L. Burch & D. Wilkin (Eds.), Disability Hate Crime: Perspectives for Change. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003442004-5
• ‘I wasn’t aware at the time, I could actually say “no”’: Intimacy, Expectations, and Consent in Queer Relationships
  
  Donovan, C., Butterby, K., & Barnes, R. (2023). ‘I wasn’t aware at the time, I could actually say “no”’: Intimacy, Expectations, and Consent in Queer Relationships. In S. Franklin, H. Piercy, A. Thampuran, & R. White (Eds.), Consent: Legacies, Representations, and Frameworks for the Future (pp. 154-169). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003365082-14
• Feminist Activism Among Academic Staff in the Movement to Address Gender-Based Violence on Campus
  
  Donovan, C., Chantler, K., Fenton, R., & Bracewell, K. (2020). Feminist Activism Among Academic Staff in the Movement to Address Gender-Based Violence on Campus. In Collaborating for Change: Transforming Cultures to End Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education.. Oxford University Press.
• Being 'ideal' or falling short? The legitimacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender victims of domestic violence and hate crime. In M. Duggan (ed), Revisiting the “Ideal Victim” (pp.83-101). Policy Press.
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2018). Being ’ideal’ or falling short? The legitimacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender victims of domestic violence and hate crime. In M. Duggan (ed), Revisiting the “Ideal Victim” (pp.83-101). Policy Press. In M. Duggan (Ed.), Revisiting the Ideal Victim (pp. 83-101). Policy Press.
• Introduction: Austerity Policies: Bad Ideas in Practice
  
  Rushton, P., & Donovan, C. (2018). Introduction: Austerity Policies: Bad Ideas in Practice. In P. Rushton & C. Donovan (Eds.), Austerity Policies: Bad Ideas in Practice (pp. 1-17). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-79120-3
• "Well that would be nice, but we can't do that in the current climate" Prioritising Services Under Austerity
  
  Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2018). "Well that would be nice, but we can’t do that in the current climate"Prioritising Services Under Austerity. In P. Rushton & C. Donovan (Eds.), Austerity Policies Bad Ideas in Practice. Palgrave Mcmillan.
• Feminism and social work
  
  Donovan, C. (2017). Feminism and social work. In L. Deacon & S. Macdonald (Eds.), Social Work Theory and Practice. SAGE Publications.
• An exploration of Spare Rib's treatment of violence between women in same sex relationships
  
  Donovan, C. (2017). An exploration of Spare Rib’s treatment of violence between women in same sex relationships. In A. Smith (Ed.), Re-Reading Spare Rib. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Tackling inequality in the intimate sphere : problematizing love and violence in same-sex relationships
  
  Donovan, C. (2015). Tackling inequality in the intimate sphere : problematizing love and violence in same-sex relationships. In R. Leckey (Ed.), After Legal Equality. Routledge.
• Redefining domestic violence and abuse : unintended consequences of risk assessment
  
  Donovan, C. (2013). Redefining domestic violence and abuse : unintended consequences of risk assessment. In J. Kearney & C. Donovan (Eds.), Constructing Risky Identities in Policy and Practice. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Exploring emotion work in domestically abusive relationships
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2011). Exploring emotion work in domestically abusive relationships. In J. L. Ristock (Ed.), Intimate Partner Violence in LGBTQ Lives (pp. 81-101). Routledge.
• Feeling at home : children of lesbian-headed families telling their family stories in primary school settings
  
  Donovan, C. (2008). Feeling at home : children of lesbian-headed families telling their family stories in primary school settings. In E. Atkinson & R. Palmer (Eds.), Invisible Boundaries. Trentham.
• Educating About Donor Insemination: Managing Risky Identities in Donor Insemination
  
  Watson, N., & Donovan, C. (2005). Educating About Donor Insemination: Managing Risky Identities in Donor Insemination. In A. Hope & P. Oliver (Eds.), Risk, Education and Culture (pp. 226-242). Ashgate Publishing.
• A different affair? Monogamy and non-monogamy in same sex relationships
  
  Heaphy, B., Donovan, C., & Weeks, J. (2004). A different affair? Monogamy and non-monogamy in same sex relationships. In G. Allen (Ed.), State of Affairs. Erlbaum.
• Lesbian and gay families
  
  Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (2004). Lesbian and gay families. In Blackwells Companion to the Family. Blackwell.
• Everyday experiments : narratives of non-heterosexual relationships
  
  Weeks, J., Donovan, C., & Heaphy, B. (1999). Everyday experiments : narratives of non-heterosexual relationships. In E. Silva & C. Smart (Eds.), The New Family. SAGE Publications.
• Families of choice : autonomy and mutuality in non-heterosexual relationships
  
  Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (1999). Families of choice : autonomy and mutuality in non-heterosexual relationships. In S. McCrae (Ed.), Changing Britain : Families and Households in the Nineties. Oxford University Press.
• Partners by choice : equality, power and commitment in non-heterosexual relationships
  
  Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (1999). Partners by choice : equality, power and commitment in non-heterosexual relationships. In G. Allen (Ed.), The Sociology of the Family : A Reader. Oxford University Press.
• Narratives of care, love and commitment : AIDS/HIV and non-heterosexual family formations
  
  Heaphy, B., Weeks, J., & Donovan, C. (1999). Narratives of care, love and commitment : AIDS/HIV and non-heterosexual family formations. In P. Aggleton, G. Hart, & P. Davies (Eds.), Families and Communities Responding to AIDS. UCL Press.
• Partnership rites : commitment and ritual in non-heterosexual relationships
  
  Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (1999). Partnership rites : commitment and ritual in non-heterosexual relationships. In J. Seymour & P. Bagguley (Eds.), Relating Intimacies : Power and Resistance. MacMillan Press.
• Sex, money and the kitchen sink : power in same-sex couple relationships
  
  Heaphy, B., Donovan, C., & Weeks, J. (1999). Sex, money and the kitchen sink : power in same-sex couple relationships. In J. Seymour & P. Bagguley (Eds.), Relating Intimacies : Power and Resistance. MacMillan Press.
• Lesbian families in Britain
  
  Donovan, C. (1997). Lesbian families in Britain. In K. Griffin (Ed.), Lesbian Families in Europe. Cassel.
• Why legal equality is not enough: The case of domestic violence and abuse in the relationships of LGBTQ+ people
  
  Donovan, C. (n.d.). Why legal equality is not enough: The case of domestic violence and abuse in the relationships of LGBTQ+ people. In F. Hamilton & G. Noto La Dieg (Eds.), Same-Sex Relationships, Law and Social Change [Contracted by publisher] (pp. 253-271). Routledge.

Conference Paper

• Landscapes of Safety: The construction and navigation of the urban landscape by students based on their gendered and/or racialised subjectivities
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2019). Landscapes of Safety: The construction and navigation of the urban landscape by students based on their gendered and/or racialised subjectivities [Conference paper].
• Challenging Boundaries: How students construct and navigate boundaries of safety based on their gendered and/or racialised subjectivities
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2019). Challenging Boundaries: How students construct and navigate boundaries of safety based on their gendered and/or racialised subjectivities [Conference paper]. Presented at First Annual FES Research Conference: Boundary Breaking, University of Sunderland.
• Positioning Universities as a source of Help when Gender Based Violence, Harassment and/or Hate Are Experienced by Students
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., Tudor, K., & Durey, M. (2018, July). Positioning Universities as a source of Help when Gender Based Violence, Harassment and/or Hate Are Experienced by Students [Conference paper].
• Help-Seeking of Students.
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., Tudor, K., & Durey, M. (2017, March). Help-Seeking of Students [Conference paper].

Edited book

• Constructing Risky Identities in Policy and Practice
  
  Kearney, J., & Donovan, C. (Eds.). (n.d.). Constructing Risky Identities in Policy and Practice [Contracted by publisher]. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Austerity Policies: Bad ideas in practice
  
  Rushton, P., & Donovan, C. (Eds.). (n.d.). Austerity Policies: Bad ideas in practice [Contracted by publisher] (1st ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Journal Article

• Hate beyond the incident: Exploring the presence/absence dynamics of ‘hate relationships’ through geotrauma and haunting
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2025). Hate beyond the incident: Exploring the presence/absence dynamics of ‘hate relationships’ through geotrauma and haunting. Geoforum, 162, Article 104274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104274
• Dis/ableist criminology and domestic colonisation: conceptualising disabled people's experience of hate and home-based violence
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (2025). Dis/ableist criminology and domestic colonisation: conceptualising disabled people’s experience of hate and home-based violence. Disability and Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2025.2478053
• Sexual violence in higher education: staff knowledge, understanding and confidence in supporting minoritized students who disclose sexual violence
  
  Gunby, C., Machin, L., Smailes, H., Ansari, S., Chantler, K., Bradbury-Jones, C., Butterby, K., & Donovan, C. (2025). Sexual violence in higher education: staff knowledge, understanding and confidence in supporting minoritized students who disclose sexual violence. Gender and Education, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2025.2471304
• Understanding family abuse: An intersectional approach to prevention and addressing family abuse perpetrators
  
  Gangoli, G., Donovan, C., Gill, A. K., Butterby, K., Dhir, A., & Regan, S. (2024). Understanding family abuse: An intersectional approach to prevention and addressing family abuse perpetrators. Journal of Gender-Based Violence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1332/23986808Y2024D000000054
• Family abuse targeting queer family members: An argument to address problems of visibility in local services and civic life
  
  Donovan, C., Magić, J., & West, S. (2024). Family abuse targeting queer family members: An argument to address problems of visibility in local services and civic life. Journal of Family Violence, 39, 1337–1349. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00617-4
• The Impact of Police ‘Process-Driven Responses’ on Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender + Victim-Survivors of Domestic Abuse in England
  
  Butterby, K., & Donovan, C. (2024). The Impact of Police ‘Process-Driven Responses’ on Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgender + Victim-Survivors of Domestic Abuse in England. Journal of Family Violence, 39(7), 1379–1391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00608-5
• Domestic colonisation: The centrality of the home in experiences of home‐takeovers and hate relationships
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2024). Domestic colonisation: The centrality of the home in experiences of home‐takeovers and hate relationships. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 49(3), Article e12660. https://doi.org/10.1111/tran.12660
• Bystander experiences of domestic violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic
  
  Walker, A., Fenton, R. A., Parry, B., Barton, E. R., Snowdon, L. C., Donovan, C., Bellis, M. A., & Hughes, K. (2024). Bystander experiences of domestic violence and abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 8(2), 141-161. https://doi.org/10.1332/23986808y2024d000000020
• Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Husband, M. (2024). Becoming cuckooed: conceptualising the relationship between disability, home takeovers and criminal exploitation. Disability and Society, 39(2), 485-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2071680
• Understanding gender and sexuality: The hidden curriculum in English schools
  
  Gangoli, G., Donovan, C., King, H., & Dutt, A. (2023). Understanding gender and sexuality: The hidden curriculum in English schools. Review of Education, 11(3), Article e3440. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.3440
• Family Violence Within LGBTQ Communities in Australia: Intersectional Experiences and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes
  
  Amos, N., Hill, A., Donovan, C., Carman, M., Parsons, M., McNair, R., Lyons, A., & Bourne, A. (2023). Family Violence Within LGBTQ Communities in Australia: Intersectional Experiences and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 20(4), 1316-1327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-023-00822-2
• Students’ help-seeking for experiences of interpersonal violence: how can universities respond?
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2023). Students’ help-seeking for experiences of interpersonal violence: how can universities respond?. Criminology & Criminal Justice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958231202011
• Re-Conceptualising Repeat Reports of Hate Crime/Incidents as Hate Relationships Based on Coercive Control and Space for Action
  
  Donovan, C., Macdonald, S., & Clayton, J. (2023). Re-Conceptualising Repeat Reports of Hate Crime/Incidents as Hate Relationships Based on Coercive Control and Space for Action. Sociological Research Online, 28(2), 502–517. https://doi.org/10.1177/13607804211065052
• Naming and recognition of intimate partner violence and family of origin violence among LGBTQ communities in Australia
  
  Bourne, A., Amos, N., Donovan, C., Carman, M., Parsons, M., Lusby, S., Lyons, A., & Hill, A. O. (2023). Naming and recognition of intimate partner violence and family of origin violence among LGBTQ communities in Australia. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(5-6), 4589-4615. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221119722
• ‘I may yet be left with no choice but to seek an ending to my torment’: disability and intersectionalities of hate crime
  
  MacDonald, S. J., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (2023). ‘I may yet be left with no choice but to seek an ending to my torment’: disability and intersectionalities of hate crime. Disability and Society, 38(1), 127-147. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2021.1928480
• Gendered landscapes of safety: How women construct and navigate the urban landscape to avoid sexual violence
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2022). Gendered landscapes of safety: How women construct and navigate the urban landscape to avoid sexual violence. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 22(2), 287-303. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895820963208
• Living with hate relationships: familiar encounters, enduring racisms and geographies of entrapment
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. (2022). Living with hate relationships: familiar encounters, enduring racisms and geographies of entrapment. Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 40(1), 60-79.
• The link between domestic violence and abuse and animal cruelty in the intimate relationships of people of diverse genders and/or sexualities: A bi-national study
  
  Riggs, D., Taylor, N., Fraser, H., Donovan, C., & Signal, T. (2021). The link between domestic violence and abuse and animal cruelty in the intimate relationships of people of diverse genders and/or sexualities: A bi-national study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(5-6), NP3169-NP3195. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260518771681
• Sex and relationships education for LGBT+ young people: Lessons from UK youth work
  
  Formby, E., & Donovan, C. (2020). Sex and relationships education for LGBT+ young people: Lessons from UK youth work. Sexualities, 23(7), 1155-1178. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460719888432
• Agency, Resistance and the Non-'Ideal' Victim: How women deal with sexual violence
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2019). Agency, Resistance and the Non-’Ideal’ Victim: How women deal with sexual violence. Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 3(3), 323-338. https://doi.org/10.1332/239868019x15633766459801
• Making sense of discourses of sameness and difference in agency responses to abusive LGB and/or T partners
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2019). Making sense of discourses of sameness and difference in agency responses to abusive LGB and/or T partners. Sexualities, 22(5-6), 785-802. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460716665787
• Domestic violence and abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGB and/or T) relationships
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2019). Domestic violence and abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGB and/or T) relationships. Sexualities, 22(5-6), 741-750. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460716681491
• Re-tangling the concept of coercive control: A view from the margins and a response to Walby and Towers (2018)
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2019). Re-tangling the concept of coercive control: A view from the margins and a response to Walby and Towers (2018). Criminology and Criminal Justice, 21(2), 242-257. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895819864622
• New directions in hate reporting research: agency, heterogeneity and relationality
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Macdonald, S. (2019). New directions in hate reporting research: agency, heterogeneity and relationality. Sociological Research Online, 24(2), 185-202. https://doi.org/10.1177/1360780418798848
• People of Diverse Genders and/ or Sexualities Caring for and Protecting Animal Companions in the Context of Domestic Violence
  
  Taylor, N., Riggs, D., Donovan, C., Signal, T., & Fraser, H. (2019). People of Diverse Genders and/ or Sexualities Caring for and Protecting Animal Companions in the Context of Domestic Violence. Violence Against Women, 25(9), 1096-1115. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801218809942
• Help-seeking among lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender victims/survivors of domestic violence and abuse: the impacts of cisgendered heteronormativity and invisibility
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2019). Help-seeking among lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender victims/survivors of domestic violence and abuse: the impacts of cisgendered heteronormativity and invisibility. Journal of Sociology, 56(4), 554-570. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783319882088
• People of Diverse Genders and/or Sexualities and Their Animal Companions: Experiences of Family Violence in a Binational Sample
  
  Riggs, D. W., Taylor, N., Signal, T., Fraser, H., & Donovan, C. (2018). People of Diverse Genders and/or Sexualities and Their Animal Companions: Experiences of Family Violence in a Binational Sample. Journal of Family Issues, 39(18). https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x18811164
• The disability bias: understanding the context of hate in comparison with other minority populations
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Donovan, C., & Clayton, J. (2017). The disability bias: understanding the context of hate in comparison with other minority populations. Disability and Society, 32(4), 483-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2017.1304206
• A Critical Portrait of Hate Crime/Incident Reporting in North East England: The Value of Statistical Data and the Politics of Recording in an Age of Austerity
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Macdonald, S. J. (2016). A Critical Portrait of Hate Crime/Incident Reporting in North East England: The Value of Statistical Data and the Politics of Recording in an Age of Austerity. Geoforum, 75, 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2016.07.001
• Making sense of abusive behaviour in LGBT intimate relationships
  
  Donovan, C., & Barnes, R. (2015). Making sense of abusive behaviour in LGBT intimate relationships. Safe The Domestic Abuse Quarterly, Spring(52), 13-17.
• Distancing and limited resourcefulness : third sector service provision under austerity localism in the North East of England.
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Merchant, J. (2015). Distancing and limited resourcefulness : third sector service provision under austerity localism in the North East of England. Urban Studies, 53(4), 723-740.
• Emotions of austerity : care and commitment in public service delivery in the North East of England
  
  Clayton, J., Donovan, C., & Merchant, J. (2014). Emotions of austerity : care and commitment in public service delivery in the North East of England. Emotion, Space and Society, 14, 24-32.
• Benefits of identifying need as well as risk for victim/survivors of domestic violence
  
  Griffiths, S., & Donovan, C. (2011). Benefits of identifying need as well as risk for victim/survivors of domestic violence. Safe, Women’s Aid Journal, Spring.
• Seeking help from the enemy: help-seeking strategies of those in same sex relationships who have experienced domestic abuse
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2011). Seeking help from the enemy: help-seeking strategies of those in same sex relationships who have experienced domestic abuse. Child and Family Law Quarterly, 23(1), 26-40.
• Domestic violence in first same-sex relationships : making the case for mainstreaming same-sex sex and relationship education
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2010). Domestic violence in first same-sex relationships : making the case for mainstreaming same-sex sex and relationship education. Respect Newsletter, Autumn.
• I hate the word victim an exploration of recognition of domestic violence in same sex relationships Social Policy and Society
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2010). I hate the word victim an exploration of recognition of domestic violence in same sex relationships Social Policy and Society. I Hate the Word Victim an Exploration of Recognition of Domestic Violence in Same Sex Relationships Social Policy and Society, 9(2), 279-289.
• Feminist epistemology and the politics of method: surveying same sex domestic violence
  
  Hester, M., & Donovan, C. (2010). Feminist epistemology and the politics of method: surveying same sex domestic violence. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 13(3), 251-263.
• Researching domestic violence in same sex relationships - a feminist epistemological approach to survey development
  
  Hester, M., & Donovan, C. (2009). Researching domestic violence in same sex relationships - a feminist epistemological approach to survey development. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 13(2), 161-173. https://doi.org/10.1080/10894160802695346
• Researching Same Sex Domestic Violence: Constructing a Survey Methodology
  
  McCarry, M., Hester, M., & Donovan, C. (2008). Researching Same Sex Domestic Violence: Constructing a Survey Methodology. Sociological Research Online, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.1650
• It's not really seen as an issue, you know, lesbian infertility it's kind of 'what's that? : Lesbians' unsuccessful experiences of medicalised donor insemination
  
  Donovan, C. (2008). It’s not really seen as an issue, you know, lesbian infertility it’s kind of ’what’s that? : Lesbians’ unsuccessful experiences of medicalised donor insemination. Medical Sociology Online, 3(1), 15-24.
• Because she was my first girlfriend, I didn't know any different: Making the case for mainstreaming same-sex sex/relationship education
  
  Donovan, C., & Hester, M. (2008). Because she was my first girlfriend, I didn’t know any different: Making the case for mainstreaming same-sex sex/relationship education. Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning, 8(3), 277-287.
• Integrity \& imagination : exploring the narrative process of lesbian couples becoming parents
  
  Donovan, C., & Wilson, A. (2008). Integrity \& imagination : exploring the narrative process of lesbian couples becoming parents. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 10(7), 649-665.
• Genetics, fathers and families Exploring the implications of changing the law in favour of identifying sperm donors
  
  Donovan, C. (2006). Genetics, fathers and families Exploring the implications of changing the law in favour of identifying sperm donors. Social and Legal Studies, 15(4), 494-510. https://doi.org/10.1177/0964663906069543
• New parenting: opportunities and challenges
  
  Donovan, C. (2005). New parenting: opportunities and challenges. Sexualities, 8(2), 131-136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460705050848
• Parenting opportunities : opportunities and challenges
  
  Donovan, C., & Wilson, A. (2005). Parenting opportunities : opportunities and challenges. Sexualities - Special Edition, 8(2).
• Why reach for the moon? Because the stars aren't enough
  
  Donovan, C. (2004). Why reach for the moon? Because the stars aren’t enough. Feminism and Psychology, 14(1), 24-29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959-353504040298
• Who needs a father? Negotiating biological fatherhood in British lesbian families using self-insemination
  
  Donovan, C. (2000). Who needs a father? Negotiating biological fatherhood in British lesbian families using self-insemination. Sexualities, 3(2), 149-164.
• That's like my life : researching stories of non-heterosexual relationships
  
  Heaphy, B., Donovan, C., & Weeks, J. (1999). That’s like my life : researching stories of non-heterosexual relationships. Sexualities, 1(4), 453-470.
• Citizenship and same sex relationships
  
  Donovan, C., Heaphy, B., & Weeks, J. (1999). Citizenship and same sex relationships. Journal of Social Policy, 28(4), 689-709.
• Young people, alcohol and sex: taking advantage
  
  Donovan, C. (1996). Young people, alcohol and sex: taking advantage. Youth Policy, 53, 30-37.
• A review of the literature examining the relationship between alcohol use and HIV-related sexual risk-taking in young people
  
  Donovan, C., & McEwan, R. (1994). A review of the literature examining the relationship between alcohol use and HIV-related sexual risk-taking in young people. Addictions, 90, 319-328.
• A review of the HIV-related sexual behaviour of gay men and men who have sex with men
  
  Donovan, C., Mearns, C., McEwan, R., & Sugden, N. (1994). A review of the HIV-related sexual behaviour of gay men and men who have sex with men. AIDS Care, 6(5), 605-617.
• Barriers to making referrals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) victim/survivors to the MARAC and recommendations for improvement
  
  Donovan, C., & Rowlands, J. (n.d.). Barriers to making referrals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) victim/survivors to the MARAC and recommendations for improvement. Safe, Women’s Aid Journal. Advance online publication.
• People of Diverse Genders and/or Sexualities and their Animal Companions: Experiences of Family Violence in a Bi-National Sample
  
  Riggs, D., Fraser, H., Taylor, N., Signal, T., & Donovan, C. (n.d.). People of Diverse Genders and/or Sexualities and their Animal Companions: Experiences of Family Violence in a Bi-National Sample. Journal of Family Issues. Advance online publication.
• Exploring third party reporting across categories of hate in Tyne and Wear.
  
  Macdonald, S. J., Clayton, J., & Donovan, C. (n.d.). Exploring third party reporting across categories of hate in Tyne and Wear. NORTH EAST RACE EQUALITY FORUM RESEARCH Briefing No.9. Advance online publication.
• Voluntary perpetrator programmes : issues of engagement and retention
  
  Donovan, C., & Griffiths, S. (n.d.). Voluntary perpetrator programmes : issues of engagement and retention. Respect Newsletter, 2010-2011. Advance online publication.
• Domestic violence and voluntary perpetrator programmes : engaging men in the pre-commencement phase
  
  Donovan, C., & Griffiths, S. (n.d.). Domestic violence and voluntary perpetrator programmes : engaging men in the pre-commencement phase. British Journal of Social Work, 1-17.

Other (Print)

• Agency, Resistance and the Non "Ideal Victim": How women deal with everyday sexual violence?
  
  Roberts, N., Donovan, C., Tudor, K., & Durey, M. (2018). Agency, Resistance and the Non "Ideal Victim": How women deal with everyday sexual violence?. British Society of Criminology Annual Conference.
• Agency, Resistance And The Non \textquoteleftIdeal Victim\textquoteright: How Women Deal With Everyday Sexual Violence.
  
  Roberts, N., & Donovan, C. (2017). Agency, Resistance And The Non \textquoteleftIdeal Victim\textquoteright: How Women Deal With Everyday Sexual Violence. CASS Seminar Series.
• Developing and Promoting Safer Communities of Learners.
  
  Donovan, C., & Roberts, N. (2017). Developing and Promoting Safer Communities of Learners. Social Policy Association Annual Conference.
• Emerald Project Interim Report.
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., Tudor, K., & Durey, M. (2016). Emerald Project Interim Report.
• Teaching Gendered Violence: The impact upon students\textquoteright thoughts (and attitudes).
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., & Durey, M. (2014). Teaching Gendered Violence: The impact upon students\textquoteright thoughts (and attitudes). Learning Enhancement Conference.
• Reporting and Responding to Hate Crime in the North East of England
  
  Donovan, C., Macdonald, S. J., & Clayton, J. (2014). Reporting and Responding to Hate Crime in the North East of England. Understanding Hate Crime: Research, Policy and Practice.
• Researching perpetrators of abuse in same sex and/or trans realtionships: emergent methodological dilemas and reflections
  
  Barnes, R., Donovan, C., & Nixon, C. (2013). Researching perpetrators of abuse in same sex and/or trans realtionships: emergent methodological dilemas and reflections. BSA Annual Conference 2013 - Engaging Sociology.
• Localism or Pulling the Plug on Public Services? Consequences of Austerity for the Third Sector in the North East
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., & Merchant, J. (2012). Localism or Pulling the Plug on Public Services? Consequences of Austerity for the Third Sector in the North East.
• Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre Grace - Northumberland Sexual Violence Project: Evaluation and sustainability report
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., & Wilcock, A. (2011). Tyneside Rape Crisis Centre Grace - Northumberland Sexual Violence Project: Evaluation and sustainability report.
• An exploration of the impact of the Coalition Government's spending review on the North East and how the Department of Social Sciences might respond
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., Merchant, J., & Roberts, N. (2011). An exploration of the impact of the Coalition Government’s spending review on the North East and how the Department of Social Sciences might respond.

Report

• Findings from a national study to investigate how British universities are challenging sexual violence and harassment on campus: Briefing Paper and Checklist
  
  Chantler, K., Donovan, C., Fenton, R., & Bracewell, K. (in press). Findings from a national study to investigate how British universities are challenging sexual violence and harassment on campus: Briefing Paper and Checklist.
• Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report Executive Summary
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., Long, C., Dutt, A., Jain, V., & Rabe, J. (2024). Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report Executive Summary. Durham and Northumbria University.
• LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment for Central Bedfordshire Council
  
  Donovan, C., Magić, J., & West, S. (2021). LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment for Central Bedfordshire Council. Galop, LGBT Anti-violence charity.
• Exploring ‘hate relationships’ through Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., Macdonald, S., Ungureanu, C., & Knight, M. (2021). Exploring ‘hate relationships’ through Connected Voice’s Hate Crime Advocacy Service.
• The Training Needs of Magistrates in relation to Domestic Abuse
  
  Donovan, C., Wilcock, A., Cunnington-Shore, C., & Easton, J. (2020). The Training Needs of Magistrates in relation to Domestic Abuse. Magistrates Association.
• An eight day working week: LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Sector Snapshot
  
  Donovan, C., & Butterby, K. (2020). An eight day working week: LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Sector Snapshot.
• Initial Findings from the Emerald Project: Exploring relationships between structural vulnerabilities and perceptions and experiences of violence and abuse amongst students.
  
  Donovan, C., Roberts, N., Tudor, K., & Durey, M. (2017). Initial Findings from the Emerald Project: Exploring relationships between structural vulnerabilities and perceptions and experiences of violence and abuse amongst students.
• Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland: Grace (covering Northumberland)
  
  Donovan, C., Butterworth, K., Durey, M., & Hugman, C. (2015). Rape Crisis Tyneside andNorthumberland: Grace (covering Northumberland).
• Centre for Applied Sciences Newsletter
  
  Donovan, C. (2015). Centre for Applied Sciences Newsletter.
• Rape crisis Tyneside and Northumberland : Grace (covering Northumberland) : Rape Crisis service evaluation
  
  Donovan, C., Durey, M., Butterworth, K., & Hugman, C. (2015). Rape crisis Tyneside and Northumberland : Grace (covering Northumberland) : Rape Crisis service evaluation.
• Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland : Tyneside Rape Crisis (covering Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Tyneside and South Tyneside) : service evaluation
  
  Donovan, C., Durey, M., Butterworth, K., & Hugman, C. (2015). Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland : Tyneside Rape Crisis (covering Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Tyneside and South Tyneside) : service evaluation.
• Evaluation of the North East Domestic Abuse Project University of Sunderland
  
  Donovan, C., & Durey, M. (2014). Evaluation of the North East Domestic Abuse Project University of Sunderland.
• The Coral Project : exploring abusive behaviours in lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender relationships.
  
  Donovan, C., Barnes, R., & Nixon, C. (2014). The Coral Project : exploring abusive behaviours in lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender relationships.
• Evaluation of the introduction of the Sunderland Customer Services Network to Children's Service
  
  Donovan, C., Tunmore, J., & Durey, M. (2014). Evaluation of the introduction of the Sunderland Customer Services Network to Children’s Service.
• Barriers to Making Referrals of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) victim/survivors to the MARAC and Recommendations for Improvement: A Study of IDVAs, MARAC Coordinators and PPU Detective Inspectors Within the Northumbria Police Force Area.
  
  Donovan, C. (2010). Barriers to Making Referrals of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) victim/survivors to the MARAC and Recommendations for Improvement: A Study of IDVAs, MARAC Coordinators and PPU Detective Inspectors Within the Northumbria Police Force Area.
• Making connections count : an evaluation of early intervention models for change in domestic violence
  
  Donovan, C., Griffiths, S., Groves, N., Johnson, H., & Douglass, J. (2010). Making connections count : an evaluation of early intervention models for change in domestic violence.
• Scoping exercise assessing LGB service provision in Sunderland
  
  Donovan, C., & Williams, F. (2008). Scoping exercise assessing LGB service provision in Sunderland.
• Comparing domestic abuse in same sex and heterosexual relationships
  
  Donovan, C., Hester, M., Holmes, J., & McCarry, M. (2006). Comparing domestic abuse in same sex and heterosexual relationships.
• Provision of services for, and the needs of, children and black minority ethnic women living with domestic violence in South Tyneside
  
  Donovan, C., Gangoli, G., Hester, M., & Westmarland, N. (2004). Provision of services for, and the needs of, children and black minority ethnic women living with domestic violence in South Tyneside.
• Families of choice : the structure and meanings of non-heterosexual relationships, research results.
  
  Weeks, J., Heaphy, B., & Donovan, C. (1997). Families of choice : the structure and meanings of non-heterosexual relationships, research results.
• Social Science Research Papers Families of choice : patterns of non-heterosexual relationships. A literature review.
  
  Weeks, J., Donovan, C., & Heaphy, B. (1996). Social Science Research Papers Families of choice : patterns of non-heterosexual relationships. A literature review.
• Keep on keeping on : a study at ways of enabling people with HIV and their partners to keep on having 'safer sex'
  
  Donovan, C., Sugden, N., Mearns, C., & McEwan, R. (1995). Keep on keeping on : a study at ways of enabling people with HIV and their partners to keep on having ’safer sex’.

Working Paper

• Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report
  
  Donovan, C., Clayton, J., MacDonald, S., Long, C., Dutt, A., & Jain, V. (2024). Improving Responses to Hate Relationships Final Report. Durham University.