Dr. McBride researches and writes on civic engagement and civic service. Her research focuses on programmatic forms of service, including international service, national service, and service learning.  She is Research Director of the School’s Center for Social Development, where she leads the Center’s research on civic engagement and service. 

Her research assesses the impacts of international service on volunteers, host organizations, and communities as well as the predictors of retention and volunteer impacts among youth and older adults in national service programs. Recent research examines the impacts of service learning in higher education on community partners. New projects focus on service learning in K-12 education and the role it can play in urban education reform. Across her research, primary partners include the Brookings Institution, DukeEngage, Washington University’s Institute for School Partnership, and the Wyman TOP program.

Dr. McBride teaches classes on social justice, program evaluation, and social work practice with organizations and communities.

In addition to her research and teaching responsibilities, she leads the University’s Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service, which promotes lifelong civic engagement and sustained community impact through service initiatives at Washington University in St. Louis.

As Associate Dean for Social Work, she is responsible for all facets of Brown School's Master of Social Work program.