Cassandra R. Davis

Cassandra R. Davis is an assistant professor of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Davis has researched environmental disruptions, specifically exploring how extreme events impact historically and socially marginalized schooling communities and the extent to which these groups ultimately recover from an event. Davis’ scholarship also focuses on dismantling forms of oppression and racism that are situated in spatially disadvantaged communities, causing them to be ill-equipped to face repeated events. Her goal is to support community leaders, educators, and policymakers in improving responses, mitigation strategies, preparedness, and recovery in areas with the highest need. Her most recent project focuses on gathering insight on terms like cultural resilience and justice from community members living in Freedmen Towns. Davis received funding from the National Science Foundation to explore the impacts of Hurricanes Florence (2018), Harvey (2017), and Matthew (2016) on schools, educators, and students.