Dr. Mary Davis is an Associate Professor and the Senior Associate Vice Provost for Education at Tufts. As a member of the Provost’s team, she works to advance the educational vision of the university by identifying and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations at the intersection of the Tufts schools. Her leadership portfolio spans multiple university-wide initiatives, including AI, public health, business, and online learning. She also oversees the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT), which supports teaching excellence and faculty development across the institution. Dr. Davis has been a Tufts faculty member since 2008, serving as chair of the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from 2016-2021 and 2023-2024.
Professor Davis’ research explores the relationship between work, the environment, and well-being as a universal human experience. Her scholarship has been recognized by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine with the award for best publication in 2021, as well as leadership roles with the National Academy of Sciences. Her first book entitled Jobs, Health, and the Meaning of Work (MIT Press) was published in 2024. Her most recent research focuses on the occupational health and well-being of nurses, exploring pandemic-related effects as well as the impact of AI on the work environment.