About
Biography
Cindy obtained her Ph.D. in social welfare from the University of California in Los Angeles in 1993, and completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. After her post-doctoral fellowship, she was employed as a behavioural scientist at the National Health and Medical Research Centre’s National Breast Cancer Centre in Sydney, and then began her academic career as a lecturer in social work at the University of New South Wales. In 2001, Cindy returned to the USA to pursue an academic career at the University of Tennessee. Since her tenure there she has advanced from assistant professor to associate professor, and then to the rank of full professor. Cindy commenced her role of Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) in the Faculty of Arts, Business and Law at USC in January 2015. She became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) in 2016, which recognised her work in blended-learning in higher education.
Cindy's primary areas of research expertise are health issues and international social work. Her conceptual framework for research is grounded in her professional, personal, and clinical experiences. She have been professionally involved in the field of health in a variety of roles for over 20 years. During her research career Cindy has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles in social work, psychology, medical, public health, and nursing journals. In addition, she has presented over 50 papers and/or posters at various state, national, and international conferences. Cindy has been an invited speaker for international conferences in Belgium and Hong Kong to present papers on breast cancer advocacy training, communication skills training for medical professionals, and developing clinical practice guidelines. She has also been awarded grants to conduct research on online teaching, various health issues including breast cancer survivors, cancer and HIV/AIDS prevention, premenstrual syndrome, and the needs of women with advanced breast cancer.
Professional memberships
- Social Work and Health Inequalities Network 2010–present
- Association of Oncology Social Workers 2006–present
- Counsel on Social Work Education 2003–present
- Society for Social Work Research 2003–present
- National Association of Social Workers 1989–present
Awards
- Higher Education Academy (HEA) Senior Fellow, 2016, in recognition and reward of teaching excellence
- Fulbright Senior Specialist Award, University Malaysia Sabah, Borneo, 2012
- Fulbright Senior Specialist Award, University of the Sunshine Coast and James Cook University, Queensland, Australia, 2009
- Fulbright Senior Specialist Roster, 2007–2012
- Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare, 2002–2004
- Leon and Toby Gold Endowed Fellowship for Care of the Elderly, 1992–1993
- University Fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles, 1989–1991
Teaching areas
- Current Directions in Psychology
- Capstone, Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
Program coordinator
Expert media commentary
Professor Cindy Davis's specialist areas of knowledge include health issues, oncology and international social work.