Richard Smith

Richard Smith is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research at Wayne State University's School of Social Work. His work focuses on sustainable community development, spatial inequality, and migration, with a particular emphasis on urban policy and social justice. Smith actively collaborates with community-based organizations in Detroit's East Side and serves on committees like the Hope Village Steering Committee.

• Education:
  • PhD in Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley
  • MSW, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • MFA in Creative Writing, Western Michigan University
  • BA in English Language and Literature, University of Michigan

Research Interests include sustainable community development, ecocities, and addressing systemic inequalities through spatial analysis and policy innovation. His projects, such as REFURB (Recovering from Expected Flooding Under Residential Buildings) and DSTOPP (Dismantling the School-to-Prison Pipeline), integrate technology and interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle urban challenges like flooding and educational equity.

Recent Publications highlight trends in disaster recovery, racial justice in education, urban infrastructure resilience, and immigrant-friendly policies, reflecting his commitment to applied, community-driven research. Smith’s work spans journals like the Journal of Urban Affairs and Social Work, with a focus on scalability and sustainability in crisis management.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Wayne State University Postdoctoral Mentor of the Year
  • Society for Social Work and Research Excellence in Research Award
  • Council on Social Work Education/SAGE Award Honorable Mention
  • Urban Affairs Association Best Conference Paper
  • ACOSA Emerging Scholar Award

Teaching includes courses on data analysis, community building, and international social work. He has received grants such as the Civic Innovation Challenge and the National Science Foundation planning grant for climate-resilient urban development.