About

Justine Maisha Davis is an assistant professor jointly appointed in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS) and the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and has completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Michigan and the University of California, San Diego, where she was a UC presidential postdoctoral fellow. Her educational background also includes a master's degree from the American University of Paris and la Sorbonne-Paris I. Her research interests include electoral violence, civil society, and the challenges to democratization efforts in post-conflict settings and weakly institutionalized democracies. Her dissertation, titled “Wartime Experiences of Civic Leaders: Legacies of Civil War, Rebel Control, and Democratization in Post-Conflict Africa,” received the Western Political Science Association best dissertation award in 2020. She has also been recognized with the Ralph Bunche Best Graduate Student Paper Award in 2018 from the African Politics Conference Group. Her scholarly work has been published in several academic journals including African Affairs, Party Politics, PS: Political Science & Politics, and the South African Geographical Journal.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Sociology
• Gender studies
• Law
• Business
• Public relations
• Aesthetics
• Geography
• Philosophy
• Mathematics
• Public administration

Selected publications

• In vitro mechanistic studies and potential health benefits of a standardized bilberry extract in low mood and cognitive enhancement

  Frontiers in Nutrition · 2025-07-31 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background Low mood and cognitive impairments are multifactorial conditions often linked to oxidative stress, neurotransmitter imbalances, and neuroinflammation. Bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus L. ) extract, particularly rich in anthocyanins, has shown promising neuropharmacological properties in recent studies. Aims of the study This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the biochemical, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties of a standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect™), alongside assessing its potential health benefits on mood and cognitive enhancement in a clinical setting. Methods In vitro assays were conducted to explore the neuromodulatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties of Bilberry extract. Enzyme inhibition assays targeted γ-Aminobutyric acid transaminase (GABA-T), monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), while GABA A receptor binding was also evaluated. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, ORAC, HORAC, and TAS assays. Neuroprotection was investigated using SH-SY5Y cells exposed to H 2 O 2 , assessing cell viability (MTT), membrane integrity (LDH release), and BDNF expression. Cytotoxicity was determined through the MTT assay in SH-SY5Y cells. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot clinical study was conducted on healthy adult subjects ( n = 33) (aged 25–55 years) to evaluate the effects of Bilberry extract on mood (POMS) and cognitive function. Results Bilberry extract demonstrated significant inhibition of GABA-T, MAO-A, and AChE, alongside moderate GABA A receptor binding. It exhibited robust antioxidant activity in DPPH (EC 50 : 9.24 ± 0.22 μg/mL), ABTS (EC 50 : 12.70 ± 0.11 μg/mL), FRAP, ORAC, HORAC, and TAS assays. Neuroprotective effects included enhanced cell viability, reduced LDH release, and upregulation of BDNF in SH-SY5Y cells under oxidative stress. Cytotoxicity tests confirmed a favorable safety profile. In the pilot study, Bilberry extract supplementation significantly improved mood parameters, including reduced tension, depression, and confusion scores ( p < 0.05) compared to placebo, with minimal adverse effects. Conclusion Bilberry extract exhibits potent antioxidant, neuromodulatory, and neuroprotective properties, supporting its potential as a natural intervention for managing low mood and cognitive health. The favorable safety profile and preliminary clinical benefits warrant further research.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Aditi Malik. Playing with Fire: Parties and Political Violence in Kenya and India. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024. xxvi + 285 pp. Maps. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. $34.99. Paper. ISBN: 978-1009444284.

  African Studies Review · 2025-09-10

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Aditi Malik. Playing with Fire: Parties and Political Violence in Kenya and India. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2024. xxvi + 285 pp. Maps. Illustrations. Bibliography. Index. $34.99. Paper. ISBN: 978-1009444284.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Understanding the Sensitivity of Party Identification Questions in Polarized African Contexts

  Political Behavior · 2025-06-19 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  Abstract The global rise of political polarization has generated new insights into how polarization affects political behavior. But political polarization may also shape the dynamics of researching such behavior in the first place. This paper argues that in polarized contexts, asking about party identification (PID) during academic surveys can be highly sensitive. We demonstrate this in sub-Saharan Africa, using three forms of evidence. First, a survey of enumerators in Côte d’Ivoire shows that over 50% feel uncomfortable asking about PID, linking their discomfort to the polarized political climate. Enumerators also believe that such questions reduce honest responses and influence the research encounter itself. Second, data from the Afrobarometer reveals that respondents in polarized countries often self-censor on PID questions more than on traditionally sensitive topics like clientelism, violence, or identity. Finally, interviews and focus groups with Ivorian citizens support these findings, highlighting the sensitivity around PID. These results emphasize that in politically polarized environments, partisanship questions may be uniquely sensitive and impact data quality and the research experience in addition to holding ramifications for political behavior. We conclude with a discussion of implications for survey design and analysis as well as a general call for political scientists to consider what is sensitive, in what context, and for whom when designing surveys.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Policymakers’ Abortion Preferences: Understanding the Intersection of Gender and Wealth

  Comparative Political Studies · 2024-04-10 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  When are politicians willing to liberalize abortion laws? While restricted access to legal abortion affects millions of women around the world, there is relatively little understanding of the factors shaping the views of politicians who craft or uphold such restrictive laws. This study examines the impact of a public health framing commonly employed by activists to persuade politicians to reform abortion laws. We provide evidence that politicians’ preferences toward abortion reforms are shaped by the intersection of gender and wealth. Drawing on a survey experiment conducted among more than 600 politicians in Zambia, we show that only women politicians from less wealthy backgrounds are more likely to support policy liberalization after being exposed to a public health framing. These findings underscore how economic inequalities can affect the substantive representation of women’s interests and provide a baseline for further research on the use of framing strategies in other developing country contexts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Effectiveness of a Mobile Application-Based Lifestyle Change Program (FASTer Way) on Body Composition, Health, Body Image, and Self Esteem in Overweight Women (Preprint)

  2024-02-08

  preprintOpen access

  <sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Numerous mobile phone applications have been developed with the goal of producing behavior changes that lead to weight loss and enhanced health. However, the evidence basis for these applications is often lacking, which renders them ineffective for altering health behaviors. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the potential benefits of a novel mobile application, The FASTer Way to Weight Loss ®. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> Forty-two overweight, but otherwise healthy, women were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to an exercise and nutrition education only control (CON, n = 21) or an integrated mobile application group (FW, n = 21), which included exercise training and dietary modifications that were overseen by an individually assigned coach. Both groups were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks post intervention for body composition, blood health indices, and multiple questionnaires for self-esteem and body image. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> Compared to the CON group, the FW group significantly reduced total mass (-1.21±1.82 vs. 0.56±1.54 kg; P=.002), fat mass (-1.45±1.23 vs 0.42±1.38kg; P&lt;.001), body fat percentage (-1.24±1.32 vs 0.23±1.33%; P=.001), and body mass index (-0.46±0.60 vs 0.24±0.59 kg/m2; P&lt;.001 ); whereas, no significant between-group differences were detected for lean body mass (P=.867). Additionally, total cholesterol was significantly reduced in the FW group compared to the CON group (-5.2±14.9 vs 8.7±22.8 mg/dL; P=.033). There were no other significant between-group differences in blood lipid profiles, blood health indices, or subjective measures of self-esteem and body image. </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> An integrated, multifactorial smartphone application (FASTer Way®) elicited positive changes in body composition and total cholesterol in six-weeks. Future research should investigate these effects in other populations to better generalize these results. </sec>

  PublisherDOI

• Nigerian  Youth Engagement in Violent Electoral Environments: Political Apathy or ‘Constrained Optimism’?

  African Affairs · 2024-04-01 · 4 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract How do young citizens engage with politicians and their political environment in contexts where elections are frequently affected by violence? We explore this question through focus group discussions (FGDs) in Nigeria, a country with high rates of election violence. We argue that young voters in violent electoral environments operate with ‘constrained optimism’, where they perceive low government responsiveness but possess high levels of self-efficacy. Participants condemned violence and expressed little faith in political institutions and leaders to curtail violence, but they also felt a determination to elect a better government and a strong sense of a civic duty to vote, participate in politics, and encourage others to do so as well. Many participants also shared that they would continue to support their preferred candidate if they were accused of violence. Some participants raised concerns about the veracity of such allegations while others explained that politicians sometimes use violence for defensive purposes. Still others stated that they would continue to support candidates who expressed remorse for engaging in violence and committed to peaceful campaigning in the future. Taken together, we argue that young voters in violent contexts operate with ‘constrained optimism’ where they remain committed to democracy, but face constraints on who they support and how they participate. Our findings nuance expectations of the effects of electoral violence on political participation and better help us understand the challenges facing voters in contexts where violence is rife.

  PublisherDOI

• Enumerator Experiences in Violent Research Environments

  Comparative Political Studies · 2023-06-08 · 9 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Understanding political and social effects of violence in local populations through public opinion surveys has become increasingly common internationally. Yet while researchers are attuned to possible challenges induced during survey implementation, this work focuses almost uniformly on respondents. This paper considers survey enumerators as critical actors for data collection in violent research settings. We present survey results from 245 enumerators in Côte d’Ivoire to show that their personal feelings of insecurity and exposure to violence while conducting surveys may condition challenges faced and compromises made to gathering data. We shed light on how academic research in violent political settings poses unique security concerns for enumerators, with ramifications for data integrity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• P756 Cumulative adverse events of anti-TNF therapy in IBD patients at a large tertiary centre – a 13-year real-world experience

  Journal of Crohn s and Colitis · 2023-01-30

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background Anti-TNFα is the first class of biologics approved for treatment of moderate-to-severely active Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). More than two decades on, anti-TNFs remain one of the most commonly used biologics for both Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn’s Disease (CD), and often as first-line therapy. Although effective, they cause several adverse events (AEs), sometimes requiring withdrawal of therapy. The aim of the study was to record cumulative AEs in IBD patients and report on real-world safety profile of this class of drugs. Methods All IBD patients exposed to anti-TNF therapy were identified from EMR at two centres of a large tertiary referral centre between January 2009 and June 2022. All relevant demographic and clinical data were collected for those patients with well recorded AEs and follow-up. Data on cumulative AEs directly attributed to anti-TNFs that ranged from mild reactions to serious AEs (defined as those requiring review/withdrawal of anti-TNF), were collected. Data on malignancies in this cohort was collected separately. The data were analysed and statistical analysis carried out using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics software package Version: 28.0.0.0. Results Total of 844 patients (M=408, 48%; median age 37years) were included, of which 61% were Caucasian. Majority had CD (608;72%) with mean age at diagnosis of 27y (SD 15y) and a median disease duration of 12years. About 50% of patients were on monotherapy and adalimumab was most frequently used (52%). A significant proportion of patients (44%) discontinued therapy during the follow-up period covered by the study (median duration 5years); infliximab showed best persistence rate (Fig 1). The commonest AEs were dermatological followed by auto-immune. Infections affected all age groups and bacterial infections were most common. Male sex, age groups of 18-50 years were statistically more likely to develop an AE (Table 1). 16 malignancies and 1 death were recorded in this cohort. Conclusion In our cohort, a significant number of AEs to anti-TNFs were noted, frequently resulting in the withdrawal of therapy. Although effective, anti-TNFs related AEs lead to poor persistence rates and contribute to increased risk of infections, particularly in &amp;gt;60y age group. Clinicians must be aware of the wide range of AEs due to anti-TNFs; these risks must be considered, and patients selected carefully to maximize success. With a wider choice of biologics and small molecules currently available, other options with apparently more favourable safety profiles could be considered earlier in the treatment algorithm.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• P699 Ustekinumab therapy after biologic failure in patients with Crohn’s Disease – A real-world single centre experience

  Journal of Crohn s and Colitis · 2023-01-30

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Background Patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) often require multiple biological therapies due to loss of response. Anti-TNF drugs are generally used as first-line biologics followed by a switch of class. Ustekinumab (UST), an IL-12/23p40 antagonist is used often after anti-TNF failure. The aim of the study was to report on the outcomes of UST therapy with a median follow-up period of nearly 24 months. Methods All CD patients who commenced UST therapy were identified from EMR at a tertiary referral centre between January 2017 and December 2021. All relevant demographic and clinical data were collected. Data on clinical response (defined as a downgrade in disease activity based on clinician assessment &amp; biochemical parameters), steroid-free duration, and long-term response to UST at 52 and 104 weeks were recorded. The response was assessed clinically and supported by biomarkers, cross-sectional imaging, colonoscopic data, and sustained maintenance of UST. The statistical analysis was carried out using the IBM® SPSS® Statistics software package Version: 28.0.0.0 Results A total of 147 CD patients (M=65, 44%; median age 38years) were included in the analysis with a median follow-up period of 24 months (range 5-67 months). 82 (56%) patients had stricturing (B2), penetrating (B3) and perianal phenotype at baseline, and 50 (34%) had undergone the previous resection/s. 109 (75%) had documented moderate to severe disease activity and 139 (95%) patients were exposed to at least one biologic prior to treatment with UST. A total of 34 (23%) patients were on concomitant thiopurines at the start of treatment. Among 147 patients in our cohort, 143 (97%) showed clinical response to UST and remained on treatment at the end of the follow-up period. The distribution of patients as per disease activity at baseline, 52 and 104 weeks is illustrated in Figure 1. An improvement in haemoglobin levels was observed post-therapy with UST, which was statistically significant at 104 weeks (p&amp;lt;0.001), with a corresponding significant reduction in faecal calprotectin levels (median reduction from 976 mcg/g ◊ 333 mcg at 104w; p&amp;lt;0.001). Only 13(8.8%) patients had side effects that were directly attributed to UST therapy. Conclusion UST is an effective therapeutic option in patients with CD who have failed previous biologic therapy. In our cohort with a large proportion of patients with complicated and refractory disease, clinical response was observed regardless of their previous exposure status to biologics, and disease phenotype. UST appears to be well tolerated with a reasonable safety profile. The consistent response rates even after prolonged treatment periods mean that clinicians could safely continue UST for longer durations, where options are limited.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Parochial Altruism in Civil Society Leaders: Legacies of Contested Governance

  The Journal of Politics · 2023-08-22 · 5 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• M Love

  Prisma Health

  11 shared

• Rachel Cooney

  University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust

  10 shared

• Tariq Iqbal

  NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre

  9 shared

• Neeraj Bhala

  Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre

  9 shared

• R. Ahmed

  Sharda University

  9 shared

• Shri Pathmakanthan

  Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

  9 shared

• Grant C. O’Connell

  Case Western Reserve University

  9 shared

• Marietta Iacucci

  University of Birmingham

  8 shared

Awards & honors

• Western Political Science Association Best Dissertation Awar…
• Ralph Bunche Best Graduate Student Paper in 2018 Award from…