Matthew Smith

Matthew Smith is a Professor in Health History at the University of Strathclyde, affiliated with the Centre for the Social History of Health and Healthcare (CSHHH). He specializes in the history of mental health, allergy, and food/nutrition. His research explores how socioeconomic factors influence mental health policy and public health interventions. Key roles include Vice-Dean of Research in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and co-editor of the Palgrave Mental Health in Historical Perspective series.

Education: PhD (University of Exeter, 2009), MA/BEd/BA (University of Alberta, 1997–2004).

Research Interests: Social psychiatry, ADHD history, food allergy, UBI as mental health policy, preventive healthcare strategies. Major works include The First Resort: The History of Social Psychiatry in the United States and Another Person's Poison: A History of Food Allergy.

Awards: AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker (2012), Griffin Award (2020), Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His work bridges academia and policy, with contributions to The Lancet, CMAJ, and public media.

Grants & Projects: AHRC-funded 'Social Psychiatry' project (2014–2017), Wellcome Trust 'Preventing Mental Illness' seminar (2016), RSE-funded hydrotherapy history project. Collaborates on global health initiatives like the Scottish UBI mental health study.

Labs/Teams: Leads interdisciplinary teams in the CSHHH and co-edits book series on mental health history. Active in policy advocacy through the Royal Society of Edinburgh and Young Academy of Scotland.