Skip to Main Content

The University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee Department of Modern Foreign Language & Literature

Frequently Used Tools:



Welcome! » Graduate Student » Kimberly Davis


Kimberly Davis

I am an environmental consultant at Spectra Tech, Inc. in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and also completing my dissertation research in environmental sociology at the University of Tennessee (UT). Prior to joining Spectra Tech, I worked for many years at UT as a Senior Research Associate at the Center for Environmental Biotechnology and the former Energy, Environment and Resources Center. My professional research interests at UT included analysis of cost-effectiveness of environmental remediation policy at the federal, state, and local levels; environmental justice issues; environmental standards and green purchasing guidelines; and the human dimensions of natural resource management. At Spectra Tech, I serve as a coordinator for disaster response preparedness at US military installations worldwide to ensure compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and other federal, state, and local regulations.

I have carried over my interest in environmental sustainability to my doctoral research in Sociology at UT, focusing on the role of social-psychological dimensions in the development of effective environmental policy. I am specifically interested in the relationship of environmental concern toward nature (as reflected in public attitudes, values, knowledge, and behavior) with acceptance of legislation to maintain the urban tree canopy. My study of urban tree management as a viable policy vehicle for sustainable development evolved from my participation in grassroots efforts to preserve the local tree canopy.

Selected Presentations

Davis, K.L. and R.E. Jones. June 12, 2008. The Value of Urban Trees: Factors Influencing Public Support For Collective Actions to Maintain and Protect Urban Trees. 14th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Burlington, Vermont.

K. L. Davis. December 3-4, 2007. Astrobiology Ethical Challenges for Science and Society. Course presented to the Astrobiology in the Secondary Classroom Teacher Workshop, Miami, Florida.

K.L. Davis and S.M. Pfiffner. October 27, 2006. “Intelligent Design” and other code for Pseudoscience: Battling the power of theocracy in the classroom. Presented to the 32nd Annual Meeting of The Mid-South Sociological Association, Lafayette, LA.

K.L. Davis and L. Moseley November 6, 2003. The Use of Power in the Translation of Science to Environmental Action: A Case Study of a Brownfield Redevelopment Gone Awry. Presented to the 29th Annual Meeting of The Mid-South Sociological Association, Baton Rouge, LA.

Selected Publications

Rogge, Mary E., Kimberly L. Davis , Deborah N. Maddox, and Milton Jackson, "Leveraging Environmental, Social, and Economic Justice at Chattanooga Creek: A Case Study," Journal of Community Practice, 13(3), 2005

Swanson M., A. Weissman, G. Davis, M.L. Socolof, and K. Davis, "Developing priorities for greener state government purchasing: A California case study," Journal of Cleaner Production, 13(7), June 2005.

Davis, Kimberly L. and C. Bolton, "Reducing Costs of UST Site Management Using a RBCA Strategy," ASCE Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste Management, April 1999.

Sayler, Gary S., John Sanseverino, and Kimberly L. Davis, eds., Biotechnology in the Sustainable Environment (New York: Plenum Publishing, 1997).

Additional Information

  • Licensed Professional Engineer in Tennessee, No. 22990
  • Board member, Knoxville Environmental Appeals Board (2004 – present)
  • Board member, Knoxville Tree Board (2006 – present)
  • Board member, Three Rivers Market (2006 – present)
  • Board member and webmaster, Knoxville Rowing Association
  • Volunteer, East Tennessee Community Design Center (assist non-profits with Web sites)
Kimberly Davis

Contact Information

Kimberly Davis
Department of Sociology
The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-0490

Email: kdavis17@utk.edu