Dr. Natalie Davis

Biography

Natalie R. Davis is an assistant professor at the University of Michigan's Marsal Family School of Education, specializing in Critical Studies in Education. Her scholarly work focuses on the relationships between teaching and learning, particularly within cultural ecologies that promote the sociopolitical development of children from non-dominant communities. With an emphasis on place-based understandings, her research explores the educational experiences of city-dwelling Black children and investigates how methodological frameworks can advance pedagogical innovations. She has previously served as a postdoctoral research fellow at Northwestern University, concentrating on micro-ethnographic analyses of children's thinking in community-based STEAM learning environments. Davis has collaborated with various organizations to design curricula and conduct professional development related to environmental justice and critical pedagogies. Her work has been published in reputable journals and featured in public outlets such as NPR and Michigan Talk Radio. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations from the University of Michigan, a B.A. in Psychology and Secondary Science Education from Columbia University, and an M.A. in Elementary Teaching. Before graduate school, she taught 3rd grade at an African-centered school, drawing from her background as a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School in Westside Detroit.

Research Interests