Charles H.F. Davis III

Dr. Charles H.F. Davis III is an Assistant Professor in the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan’s Marsal Family School of Education. He specializes in race, racism, and systems of oppression in higher education. His research employs ethnographic and visual methods to study Black activists’ political mobilization and institutional change. Davis directs the Campus Abolition Research Lab and hosts the #PoliceFreeCampus Podcast, advocating for police-free campuses and racial equity.

Education: Ph.D. in Higher Education (University of Arizona), Master’s degrees from University of Pennsylvania and Florida State University. Prior roles include Assistant Professor at USC Rossier School of Education, recognized as Faculty Member of the Year and Outstanding Faculty Member.

Research focuses on student activism, campus climate, and abolitionist frameworks. Notable grants include support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Lumina Foundation. Awards include the 2021 National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship and 2020 Diverse Emerging Scholar recognition.

Teaching includes courses like Anti-Racism in Education and Power, Privilege, and Politics in Higher Education. He also provides consulting services on racial equity and authored the photography book *BLACK QTDN*, documenting Black life-making across global communities.

• Labs/Teams: Campus Abolition Research Lab, #PoliceFreeCampus Podcast
• Grants: 'It Was All A Dream' (2022), 'Advancing Community-Centered Understandings' (2021)