Laura Smith

Laura Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University, part of the College of Arts and Letters. She holds affiliations with the American Indian and Indigenous Studies program as affiliated faculty and serves as Core Faculty at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Her research and teaching emphasize inclusivity, challenging the dominance of white male narratives in art history through Indigenous perspectives on technology and representation.

• Ph.D. in Art History, Indiana University, 2008
• M.A. in Art History, University of New Mexico, 2002

Her research focuses on how Indigenous artists utilize technological innovations—such as photography, video, and digital media—to reclaim representation, explore identity, and resist settler colonialism. She critiques the exclusionary frameworks of art institutions and advocates for equity in knowledge creation. Recent work explores digital tools' role in art historical pedagogy and interdisciplinary collaboration, aiming to foster inclusive educational practices and scholarly networks.

Laura’s publications trace themes of modernity, sovereignty, and technological intersection with cultural identity. Recent trends highlight decolonial methodologies, digital media’s potential to preserve Indigenous histories, and the reimagining of art historical narratives through intersectional and fluid perspectives. Earlier works, like her 2016 book on Horace Poolaw, examine 20th-century Indigenous photographers who contested mainstream modernist paradigms.

While no scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed, her contributions to inclusive curricula and collaborative research reflect a commitment to equity and innovation. She has advised no formally listed students but integrates mentorship into her pedagogical approach.

Laura is affiliated with interdisciplinary centers that amplify her work’s scope, including the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, though specific lab or team affiliations are not detailed in the provided text.