Cathy N. Davidson

Cathy N. Davidson is a Distinguished Professor and Senior Advisor to the Chancellor on Transformation at the City University of New York (CUNY). She leads the Futures Initiative, a program advancing equity and innovation in higher education across CUNY's 25 campuses. Her work focuses on pedagogical innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and systemic educational reform.

Prior roles include Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies at Duke University and co-founder of HASTAC, a pioneering academic social network. She has authored/co-authored influential books including The New College Classroom (2023 Ness Book Prize winner), The New Education, and Revolution and the Word.

Her research interests span student success initiatives, digital learning strategies, and the transformation of learning institutions. Awards include multiple Ness Awards, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to educational scholarship.

Key initiatives include the CUNY Leadership and Peer Mentoring Fellows program, the CUNY Humanities Alliance, and the PhD Lab in Digital Knowledge at Duke. She has pioneered peer-led learning models, badging systems, and open-access educational practices.