Professional Career
Formerly a teacher (1981–84), Davidson taught English, Drama and PE, firstly in Cardigan County Secondary School, then Pontypridd.
She has spent much of her life working with young people in the voluntary sector, both as Development Officer for the Youth Hostel Association in Wales (1984–87) and as a Youth and Community Worker (1987–90). Davidson was also a Researcher to Rhodri Morgan MP (1991–96); and Welsh Co-ordinator, National Local Government Forum Against Poverty (1994–96).
She was Minister for Environment and Sustainability in Wales from 2007 to 2011 where she was responsible for the Welsh Government agreeing to make sustainable development its central organising principle. Prior to that she was Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning where she introduced a new Foundation Phase for 3-7 year olds, the Welsh Baccalaureate and Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC) into the Welsh curriculum.
In 2011, following her ministerial career and subsequent move to West Wales as planned, Davidson took up employment as Director of the Wales Institute for Sustainability at the local Trinity St David University shortly afterwards, which intends to introduce sustainability content into every student's experience from 2013. Questions were made over the appointment, such as why Davidson did not notify the committee that regulates the appointments of former ministers to ensure fair play
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