Jenny Davis

Jenny Davis (she/her) is an Associate Professor in Anthropology at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies and the Illinois Global Institute. Her work bridges Indigenous language revitalization, gender and sexuality studies, and decolonial methodologies across academic disciplines. Contact: loksi@illinois.edu • 223 Coble Hall, Champaign, IL

Research Focus: Davis specializes in Indigenous language survivance, particularly examining the Chickasaw Renaissance movement, and interrogates settler colonial frameworks in historical narratives. Her scholarship critically analyzes racism in linguistic practices and nonbinary gender articulations within anthropological theory.

Scientific Contributions:

• Leading work on Indigenous digital humanities and linguistic futurism
• Advocacy for ethical ancient DNA research practices with Indigenous communities
• Foundational critiques of 'WEIRD' biases in biological anthropology

Public Scholarship: Davis's research spans trickster pedagogies, critical curation practices, and the paradoxes of language endangerment media coverage. Her publications incorporate decolonial approaches to museum ethics, genetic research, and community-university partnerships.