Curtis Davis
Associate Professor of Practice and Associate Director of the DSW Program
Dr. Curtis Davis holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Alabama, and a PhD in Social Work from Tulane University. Dr. Davis is an active and devoted pracademic, a blend of an academic and practitioner. With a focus on relieving stressors from structural oppression, Dr. Davis enjoys blending lessons on applied methodologies, considerations to salient identities, policy, and other knowledge to educate students and the community. More specifically, his practice and scholarly experiences range from examining how racism-based trauma is conceptualized to exploring the socioeconomic and racial disparities impacting harmful birth outcomes. Among the award and accolades received, Dr. Davis is the inaugural awardee for the Faculty Award for Early Career Achievement in Social Work Doctoral Education given by the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work. Whether virtually or in-person, this award embodies Dr. Davis’ belief in the importance of fostering healthy and nurturing spaces for matriculating Social Work students and education stakeholders.
Area of Expertise
Anti-oppressive frameworks and interventions, student support and outcomes, adverse health outcomes, Qualitative methods and participatory action research (PAR)
Education
PhD, Social Work (City, Culture, and Community), from Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
MSW, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
BSW, The University of Mississippi, University, MS
Research/Special Projects
(1) Exploring the Experiences of Families and Their Use of Doula Services in Under Resourced Communities (Qualitative Inquiry)
Phase: Data Collection
(2) Exploring Advocacy Strategies to Support Expectant Black Families when Faced with Employment Discrimination (Qualitative Inquiry)
Phase: Data Collection
Publications
Manigault, III, D., Davis, C. (2024) Restoring Equity for Black Youth in Urban Schools: A Scoping Review. Youth and Society.
Wilkes, S., Davis, C., Cheatham, L., Trosper, P. (2024) One Click Away: Establishing a Virtual Platform to Amplify and Learn from Marginalized Voices during Crises. Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education.
Brennan, M., Davis, C. (2024) Synthesizing Paternal Mental Health Advances and Clinical Social Work Practice: A Mapping Review. Families in Society Journal. (Accepted for Publication)
Martin-Jones, V., Davis, C. (2023) “Who Am I?” Utilizing a Systematic Review of the Literature to Explore Relevant Black Youth Identity Models for Social Work Practice. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work. (Under Review)
François, S., Blakey, J., Davis, C., Stevenson, R., Walker, T. (2022). When the Helpers Need Help: Navigating COVID-19 and Racism as a Black Student Studying the Helping Professions. The Journal of Community Psychology. (Accepted for Publication)
François, S., & Davis, C. (2022). What is Safety to You? Determining an Inductive Conceptualization of Neighborhood Safety through Centering the Voices of Community Residents. Urban Social Work. https://connect.springerpub.com/content/sgrusw/6/2/129
François, S., & Davis, C. (2021). Lifting the veil: Considering the conceptualizations of racism-based trauma among social workers. Qualitative Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325021997542
Davis, C., & François, S (2021) “All Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk”: Engaging with Racial Identity and Racism-Based Trauma in Social Work Curricula, Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 41:3, 209-229. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10 … 21.1931637
Davis, C., & François, S. (2020). Behind closed doors: Considering a triphasic traumatic incarceration experience. Traumatology, 26, 193-204. https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi= … rm0000227.
Awards
Faculty Award for Early Career Achievement in Social Work Doctoral Education (2024)
Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE)
https://www.gadesocialwork.org/Awards/F … chievement
Social Work Educator of the Year Award (2023)
Alabama and Mississippi Social Work Education Conference
Faculty Award for Research, Teaching, and Service (2023)
The School of Social Work
The University of Alabama
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Professor of the Year (2019-2020),
The School of Social Work
The University of Southern Mississippi