About Kat
I'm Dr Kathleen Macdonald, and my work brings together a lifelong interest in languages, music, culture and community.
My journey has taken me across Australia and overseas, working in education, linguistics research, translation, music and community development. Along the way, I've had opportunities to learn from people of different backgrounds and explore how language and culture connect us, create us, nurture creativity and shape experience.
Through Dr Kat Mac Industry, I bring these experiences together, offering language services as well as sharing my creative work and continuing to explore the things that interest me.
My Qualifications
I hold a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where my research explored how meaning is expressed in two different languages (Korean and English) in the field of traditional music domains, where the texts were composed without influence of the other language. It also explored the language of translation from Korean into English, through an applied case study with pairs of translators.
My other qualifications include:
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Master of Arts (Research) – University of New South Wales
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Master of Applied Linguistics (TESOL), with Merit – University of Sydney
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Bachelor of Applied Science Systems Agriculture (Cross-Cultural Rural Development), with Credit – University of Western Sydney
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Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116)
My academic interests include translation, bilingualism, language learning, cultural communication and the relationship between language and music, and these two semiotic systems and experience .
My Professional Experience
I've worked across universities (education and research), vocational education and community development environmental programs in Australia and internationally. My teaching and research experience includes positions at the University of Sydney, Macquarie University, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and TAFE NSW. In 2012, I received an Excellence in Teaching Award for my work in Adult Migrant English Program and Settlement program design and teaching. Through my language consultancy, Wordswords, I have provided proofreading, editing, Korean-English translation and communication services for academic, legal, business and community clients since 2008.
My proofreading and copyediting work includes interactive feedback on academic and professional documents, that is tailored towards not only improving clarity, structure and consistency, but also empowering clients to better understand language expression and empower their writing in a more independent capacity.
I've also spent many years working in environmental management and community development, including with Martu communities in remote Western Australia, where I worked on the Women's Ranger and Family Programs, as well as language facilitation work for the Cultural Team. More recently, my work with Granite Borders Landcare Inc. has involved project development, grant writing, community engagement, workshops and organisational planning and governance. These experiences have given me opportunities to work with people from many different backgrounds, combining research and communication skills with practical project delivery.
Research and Publications
My research focuses on how people communicate and interpret meaning across languages, cultures and creative forms. This includes minute analysis of lexico-grammar within language corpora to much broader analysis of agency in language expression and how music choices work with lyrical ones to creates meanings and states of being. Translation between languages, cultures and language-music is central to my exploration into human communication, meaning making and world creation.
My published chapter, Anthropology, Translation and Cognition (chapter 5 in The Routledge Handbook of Translation and Cognition (2020), has multiple citations and is used in training programs for teachers of these fields.
I've also researched Korean-English translation, musical discourse, language structure and the ways music communicates cultural and social experiences. I've presented my research at academic conferences in Australia and internationally, sharing ideas with others working in linguistics, translation and communication. My linguistic training has been in Systemic Functional Linguistics, which is a powerful framework for conceptualising and teaching practical language use.
Music and Creative Work
Music has been part of my life for many years, alongside my interest in languages and cultural expression. I've studied piano, violin and dance for more than 15 years and have been involved in string ensembles, bands, choirs and musical performances. I was in the Southern Downs String ensemble for 3 years, and served one year as its President. I currently perform with other musicians or solo as opportunities emerge, making use of piano, violin and vocals. One recent highlight was performing with other local and far more accomplished pianists in the Piano Mill, for a Winter Solstice concept created by Erik Griswold of the Harrigan's Lane Collective (20 June 2026).
My interests in music and language frequently overlap. In particular, my academic research has explored how music expresses meaning and how musical ideas are understood across different languages and cultures. Music continues to be an important creative outlet for me through performance as well as independent research and composition, exploring new ideas.
My Journey
I've had the opportunity to live and work in Korea and Hong Kong, as well as remote communities in Queensland and Western Australia. These experiences have shaped the way I approach language, culture, communication and working with people. My interest in languages extends beyond my professional work. I've studied Korean for more than 15 years, as well as Scottish Gaelic, Hebrew and Greek.
I've also spent more than 10 years training in Kendo, the Japanese martial art of fencing, achieving third dan. Both physical somatic experience an the environment are essential to my healthy practice and way of moving in the world. I was Treasurer of the Saddler's Mountain bike Club for two years, and a Committee member for 4 years. I am an avid Sky Runner - mountain top trail running - so you might meet me at a trail running event around Australia.
Whether I'm working with language, music, education or community projects, I enjoy learning, sharing knowledge and finding connections between different ideas and experiences. Dr Kat Mac Industry is a way of bringing these interests and experiences together, while continuing to learn, create and contribute.
Let's Connect
Whether you need help with a document, want to learn a language, have a project to discuss or are interested in a performance, I'd love to hear from you. Please explore my website or get in touch to find out how I can help.
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