Curt Smith

Curt Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Bentley University’s College of Arts and Sciences, where he teaches courses on social inequality, homelessness, immigration, and social change. His research and teaching are deeply connected through community engagement and service learning initiatives.

Dr. Smith’s research centers on social inequality, poverty, and social justice, with a specialized focus on homelessness and housing advocacy in the United States. His work employs qualitative and ethnographic methods, supported by demographic training, to explore how social service workers navigate bureaucratic systems to support homeless populations. He has conducted fieldwork in Salt Lake City, El Paso, and Boston, generating rich data on housing policy, immigrant health, and activist responses to homelessness.

His recent publications highlight innovative outreach strategies and methodological considerations in counting homeless populations. The central theme across his work is the intersection of structural inequality and frontline advocacy, emphasizing the role of 'Red-Tape Warriors'—dedicated workers who challenge systemic barriers.

• CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title (Highly Recommended) by the American Library Association's CHOICE360 for 'Homelessness and Housing Advocacy: The Role of Red-Tape Warriors' (2022)

Dr. Smith is actively involved in mentoring undergraduates and integrating research with civic engagement. He collaborates with the Service Learning and Civic Engagement Center at Bentley, co-developing participatory projects and leading student trips to the U.S.-Mexico border. While no formal grants are listed, his work reflects sustained applied research and community partnerships. He also contributes to academic discourse through publications and presentations on homelessness, policy, and ethnographic methodology.

His research lab or team is not formally named, but his work involves collaborative, community-based ethnographic projects with students and local organizations focused on housing justice and immigrant rights.