Davia C. Downey

Davia C. Downey is an Associate Professor and Director of the PhD in Urban Affairs program at the University of Memphis's School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Previously, she served as the MPA Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Public Administration at Grand Valley State University. Her research focuses on disaster policy, comparative federalism, minority politics, and urban governance. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Michigan State University, an MPA from Eastern Michigan University, and a BA in Music Performance from Albion College.

Dr. Downey’s academic career includes teaching courses on emergency management, public policy, and urban theory. Her community engagement includes roles on the East Lansing Housing Commission, Voters Not Politicians, and BLDG Memphis. She has authored books such as Cities and Disasters (2015) and Disasters and Economic Recovery (2021), and her work appears in journals like American Review of Public Administration and Urban Affairs Review.

Her current research explores face mask policy adoption during crises, the impact of tort reform during pandemics, and the role of cities in shaping federalism through Supreme Court cases. She also investigates pedagogical methods using pop culture, such as analyzing ethics through horror films like Saw IV.

Professional service includes roles as Secretary/Treasurer of the Urban and Local Section of the American Political Science Association and Associate Editor of the Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs. Her technical skills include proficiency in STATA, SPSS, and qualitative research tools like Atlas.ti.