HESBURGH LECTURE SERIES 2012 Program - Alumni Association ...

Darren W. Davis, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research; Professor of Political Science;
Concurrent Professor of Psychology ; Notre Dame Presidential
Faculty Fellow Academic Director, Seminar for African American
Scholars
Biography
Considered one of the most prolific scholars in political behavior, public opinion, political
psychology, and racial politics, Darren W. Davis is nationally recognized for his research on
political tolerance, the support for democratic values, subtle racism, and the concern for
social desirability. Among his many contributions, Davis’ recent book, Negative Liberty: Public
Opinion and the Terrorist Attacks on America, has been considered invaluable in detailing how
perceptions of threat and anxiety shapes political attitudes, and ultimately citizens’ support for
democracy following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
Davis’ scholarly research has appeared in the most prestigious journals in Political Science,
such as The American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Public Opinion Quarterly,
Political Behavior, Social Science Quarterly, and Political Behavior. The National Science Foundation and the Russell Sage
Foundation have supported a great deal of his research. He also served on the editorial boards of the American Political Science
Review, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Public Opinion Quarterly, and Political Research Quarterly. In
2003, Davis was awarded the Emerging Scholar Award by Public Opinion and Elections Section of the American Political Science
Association, which acknowledges the top scholar within 10 years of receiving their Ph.D. More recently, Davis was part of a
national committee that examined the reliability of polling results in the 2008 presidential primaries. During the 2008 presidential
election, Davis appeared as a polling expert on CNN, NBC, FOX, BBC, and in numerous newspapers.
In his role as associate vice president for research, Davis is responsible for research compliance and ensuring the ethical
treatment of human subjects and animals in research. Current projects include questions pertaining to social desirability, political
correctness, and truthfulness; changing nature of racial attitudes and resentment, citizens’ support for democracy and patriotism;
and the support for civil liberties. Davis earned a bachelor’s degree at Lamar University, a master’s degree from Louisiana State
University, and a doctorate at the University of Houston.
Lecture
Categories
Social Concerns
The Role of Race and Culture in our Society: Implications for our Emerging Communities
As the U.S. becomes more diverse, there is a need to understand the different psychological and social issues that affect crosscultural
development. This lecture discusses the role that race and culture identity development play in this process and the
implications it has on behavior, stereotypes, and attitudes.
The Hesburgh Lecture Series, 2012 Program 33