Fellows

Larry E. Davis, MA, MSW, Ph.D. is the Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where he is the Donald M. Henderson Professor. Dr. Davis is the Director and founder of the Center on Race and Social Problems which conducts applied social science research on race, ethnicity, and color.

Prior to his arrival at the University of Pittsburgh in 2001, Dr. Davis was a faculty member at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri since 1977, where he was a Professor of Social Work and Psychology and the holder of the E. Desmond Lee Chair in Ethnic and Racial Diversity.

Dr. Davis received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan’s dual-degree program in social work and psychology in 1977. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and a Masters in social work and a Masters in psychology from the University of Michigan.

His professional interests include interracial group dynamics, the impact of race, gender, and class on interpersonal interactions, African American family formation; and academic achievement of youth.

He has received research funding from sources such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the National Institute of Mental Health.

Some of his publications have appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Research, Social Work, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Journal of Black Psychology, Journal of Educational Psychology and Social Work Research. He has written, edited, or co-authored five books: Race, Gender and Class: Guidelines for Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (co-authored with Enola Proctor), Ethnic Issues in Adolescent Mental Health (Co-edited with Arlene Stiffman), Working with African American Males: A Guide to Practice (2000), Black and Single: Finding and Choosing a Partner who is Right for You (3rd edition 2004), and Measuring Race and Ethnicity, co-authored with Rafael Engel (2011). Dr. Davis is the co-editor in chief of the Encyclopedia of Social Work, 20th Edition.

He is the founder and Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Race and Social Problems journal, Springer Publications.

In addition, Dr. Davis is the founder and leader of REAP-a consortium of Race, Ethnicity, and Poverty centers from across the United States.

He is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Council on Social Work Education, Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) and the Inter-University Consortium for International Social Development (IUCISD).