Cassandra Davis

Cassandra Davis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She holds dual Faculty Fellow appointments at the Carolina Population Center and the Center for Resilient Communities and the Environment, Institute for the Environment.

Her research specializes in environmental disruptions to schooling communities, with concentrated focus on natural disaster impacts in low-income communities of color. Dr. Davis develops strategies for educators and policymakers to enhance disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery in high-need areas. Current projects confront systemic racism and build trust between emergency management agencies and marginalized populations affected by consecutive disasters.

Dr. Davis has secured major external funding:

• United States Department of Homeland Security (2020-present): Examining inequitable disaster aid distribution to underrepresented communities
• National Science Foundation (2017-2020): Analyzing impacts of Hurricanes Florence (2018), Harvey (2017), and Matthew (2016) on schools, educators, and students