mcafee began her academic career as a lecturer in political theory in the department of government at ut austin in 1998–1999, before accepting an appointment as assistant professor in the department of philosophy at the university of massachusetts lowell, where she served from 1999 to 2003, when she was promoted to associate professor, a position she occupied until 2007. in 2005 she helped found the future of public media project at american university as part of an initiative funded by the ford foundation. after leaving the university of massachusetts, mcafee accepted a position at the school for conflict analysis and resolution at george mason university, where she stayed from 2008 to 2010, before accepting a dual appointment at emory university as associate professor of philosophy and affiliate of women, gender, and sexuality studies. in 2013, mcafee was promoted to full professor at emory.