University of North Carolina - Charlotte | United States
Author Profile
Scopus
Google Scholar
Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Boyd Davis began her academic journey with an A.B. in French and English from the University of Kentucky in 1961, supported by earlier studies at Centre College (1957–59). Her deep interest in linguistics and literature shaped her early research, culminating in an M.A. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1962, with a thesis focused on the comparative study of Faulkner and French literary traditions. She further specialized in Historical and Comparative Linguistics and Medieval Literature, completing her Ph.D. at UNC Chapel Hill in 1972 with a dissertation titled "Indo-European Vocalism, 1868–1896," under the guidance of Dr. George S. Lane. Supplementing her doctoral studies were courses at the University of Cincinnati and advanced seminars from the Linguistic Society of America, demonstrating her commitment to academic breadth and depth.
Professional Endeavors
Dr. Davis's professional career spans over five decades, predominantly at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she served from 1970 to 2020, ascending from instructor to full professor. Her cross-disciplinary engagements include appointments as Affiliate Professor in Gerontology, Cognitive Science, Communications, and Health Services, as well as adjunct and research roles in various medical and linguistic institutions across the United States, Taiwan, and Japan. Her teaching engagements included tenures at Queens College, Winthrop College, and the prestigious Bread Loaf School of Writing. Notably, she has served as a reviewer for the National Science Foundation and a research professor at the Center for Ageing, Language and Care at Tongji University in Shanghai, reflecting her global academic reach and recognition.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Davis's research has consistently bridged linguistics, aging, health communication, and cognitive science. Her involvement with the HEROIC/COIN research team at the Ralph H. Johnson VA and affiliations with Alzheimer’s Disease and Clinical Programs underscore her dedication to impactful, interdisciplinary scholarship. Her work uniquely intersects applied linguistics with healthcare and aging, focusing on how language use evolves in later life, especially among individuals with cognitive impairments. These studies have practical applications in patient care, communication strategies, and gerontology, earning her notable respect in both linguistic and medical communities.
Impact and Influence
The breadth of Dr. Davis’s affiliations-with medical universities, cognitive science departments, international institutions, and linguistic societies-highlights her influential role in shaping interdisciplinary scholarship. As an educator and researcher, she has mentored generations of scholars and practitioners while driving discourse in aging-related communication. Her teaching and research have contributed substantially to understanding how language operates in real-world health contexts, informing practices across academic, clinical, and caregiving environments.
Academic Citations and Recognition
Dr. Davis’s work is extensively cited in fields ranging from applied linguistics and medical humanities to cognitive aging and gerontology. Her pioneering studies on discourse analysis in clinical and elder-care settings have positioned her as a go-to reference for scholars and practitioners alike. Her published research has influenced curriculum design, care policy, and communication training, with citations in both peer-reviewed journals and applied settings-demonstrating both scholarly and societal value.
Legacy and Future Contributions
As a continuing research professor and international collaborator, Dr. Davis remains deeply involved in advancing studies on aging, language, and care. Her legacy lies in a career that not only broke disciplinary boundaries but also transformed how linguistics is applied to critical real-world issues like dementia care and elder communication. Her ongoing engagements with Tongji University and VA research teams signal a forward-looking agenda committed to innovation, mentorship, and international collaboration.
Conclusion
Dr. Boyd Davis exemplifies academic excellence through her lifelong contributions to linguistics, health communication, and aging studies. Her career, marked by scholarly rigor, interdisciplinary innovation, and dedicated mentorship, continues to influence both academic and applied sectors. She stands as a paragon of scholarly commitment and global engagement-making her a highly deserving candidate for any honor recognizing excellence in research and academic leadership.
Notable Publications
"Issues in developing multilingual graphics-based digital caregiver guides for dementia care"
- Author: BH Davis, M Maclagan, M Troutman-Jordan
- Journal: Discourse, Context & Media
- Year: 2025
"Book review: Laura Tommaso, Ageing Discourse in the News: A Corpus-Assisted Study"
- Author: BH Davis
- Journal: Discourse & Communication
- Year: 2025
"Structural inequalities in health: Case studies in veterans with diabetes"
- Author: C Pope, BH Davis, CE Dismuke-Greer
- Journal: Structural Inequalities
- Year: 2025
"US corrections officers’ discourse about dementia: An initial focus group"
- Author: BH Davis, M Troutman-Jordan
- Journal: Journal of Connected Speech
- Year: 2024
"Gerotranscendence, Hope, and Coherence in the Face of Life Adversity"
- Author: M Troutman-Jordan, D Evan, S Woods, B Davis
- Journal: Research & Theory for Nursing Practice
- Year: 2024