Cassandra R. Davis, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research focuses on the environmental disruptions to schooling communities, specifically the impact of natural disasters on low-income communities of color.

Dr. Davis’ goal is to support educators, community leaders, and policymakers to improve mitigation strategies, preparedness, response, and recovery in areas with the highest need.

Her most recent projects focus on addressing systemic racism and building trust and community between emergency management and socially marginalized populations disrupted by consecutive natural disasters. Since 2020, Dr. Davis has received funding from the United States Department of Homeland Security to examine inequitable distributions of disaster aid to underrepresented communities.

From 2017-2020, Dr. Davis received funding from the National Science Foundation to explore the impacts of Hurricanes Florence, 2018, Harvey, 2017, and Matthew, 2016, on schools, educators, and students.