Donna Z. Davis

Donna Z. Davis serves as Professor and Endowed Chair in Public Relations at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) in Portland, where she directs both the Strategic Communication and Immersive Media Communication Master's programs and founded the Oregon Reality Lab (OR Lab). Her leadership bridges academic research with practical applications in immersive media and strategic communication.

Her educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Florida
• MS in Family, Youth and Community Science from the University of Florida
• BA in Journalism (Public Relations) from the University of Florida

Dr. Davis's research investigates virtual reality's societal implications through the lens of digital identity, embodiment, and equity. She pioneers studies on how immersive environments impact marginalized communities—particularly people with disabilities—with groundbreaking work on virtual support networks for Parkinson's disease patients. Her scholarship examines the dual nature of virtual spaces as both connective and isolating forces, while recent projects analyze AI's ethical integration in virtual work cultures and strategic communication. This focus on technology's human dimensions extends to health communication, where she explores VR's therapeutic potential for PTSD and disability accommodation.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals accelerating convergence between artificial intelligence and immersive media, with 40% of her 2023-2024 work examining AI-VR synergies. Persistent themes include digital identity economics, therapeutic avatar applications, and systemic barriers to VR accessibility—highlighting her commitment to technology equity. Her methodological contributions strengthen qualitative approaches for studying digital communities.

Her scientific impact is recognized through significant honors:

• Olga M. Haley Mentorship Award of Distinction (2018)
• Top paper award at International Public Relations Research Conference (2022)
• Inaugural Fellow of SOJC Agora Center (2014)
• Council on Contemporary Families National Media Award (2007)

Dr. Davis secures substantial research funding including a $101,140 National Science Foundation grant (2015-2018) on disability and technology innovation, plus multiple university grants exceeding $50,000. She actively mentors graduate students through SOJC's master's programs while advising professional organizations on AI ethics in journalism and PR. Her industry partnerships translate academic insights into real-world applications through the OR Lab's collaborative projects.

As director of the Oregon Reality Lab, she cultivates a multidisciplinary team exploring spatial web applications, with current initiatives focused on metaverse design principles for inclusive community building and AI-driven virtual environments. The lab serves as both research incubator and training ground for next-generation communication professionals.