Eric R.A.N. Smith

Eric R.A.N. Smith is Emeritus Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara. His research examines environmental politics, public opinion formation, and electoral behavior, with emphasis on climate change communication and energy policy.

Key contributions include analyzing public trust in scientific sources, partisan polarization in environmental attitudes, and sustainability literacy assessment. Recent experimental work tests strategies to overcome skepticism about climate science through place-based messaging.

Professor Smith has authored influential texts on energy crises and advised governmental bodies on public engagement strategies. He has directed graduate research on environmental policy, political communication, and voting behavior throughout his career.