Her research investigates of human computer interaction (HCI)[1] and aims to develop and to facilitate the interfaces that provide users with the tools needed to accomplish the task at hand.

After graduating from Northeastern University, Mackay worked in several roles at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC).

At DEC, she created over 30 multimedia projects, including the first interactive video system which was titled IVIS.

[12] Her scientific contributions include writing the original toolkit software for IVIS, the world's first interactive video system.

[13] Her design methods are taught in institutions around the world such as Stanford, MIT, Georgia Tech, and University of British Columbia.