Steven M. Smith

Steven M. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Business at the Colorado School of Mines, where he has been a faculty member since 2017. He is also an Affiliate Faculty of the Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering Program, reflecting his interdisciplinary engagement with water-related research. His academic work bridges economics, environmental policy, and institutional analysis.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Colorado, Boulder (2014)
• M.A. in Economics, University of Colorado, Boulder (2011)
• B.A. in Mathematics, DePauw University (2007)

Dr. Smith’s research focuses on natural resource economics, particularly water governance, property rights, and common pool resource management. Drawing from economic history and new institutional economics, his work investigates how institutions shape environmental outcomes, with frequent emphasis on groundwater and irrigation systems. His teaching includes courses such as Mathematical Economics, Property Rights and Natural Resources, and the Economics of Water.

His recent publications reveal a strong trend in the economic analysis of water institutions, collective action in shared resources, and policy design for sustainability. The studies often combine empirical fieldwork with theoretical modeling, focusing on real-world challenges in the American West and tropical forest regions. Topics include groundwater commons, self-regulation, REDD+, and historical irrigation development.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Smith has been involved in collaborative research on environmental governance and collective action, often working with interdisciplinary teams. While specific grants are not detailed, his work has been published in leading journals such as the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Journal of Economic History, and Annual Review of Natural Resource Economics. He advises on policy-relevant issues related to water and natural resource management.

As an affiliate of the Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering Program, he contributes to a multidisciplinary research environment focused on water systems, integrating economic perspectives into hydrological and engineering frameworks.