Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences. She holds affiliations with the Global Studies Center, the Pittsburgh Collaboratory for Water Research, Education, & Outreach, and the University Human Rights Working Group. Her research focuses on social movements, human rights globalization, climate justice, and urban politics. She co-founded Pittsburgh’s Human Rights City Alliance and serves on the housing rights working group.

Education:

• PhD, University of Notre Dame, 1996 (Dissertation: Organizing Global Action: Transnational Social Movements and World Politics)
• MA, International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, 1995
• BA, World Politics & Peace & World Order Studies, The Catholic University of America, 1990

Research Interests: Smith’s work addresses social conflict and transformation, environment & climate change politics, urban politics, global human rights movements, and the political economy of corporate power. She emphasizes linking local activism to global frameworks through initiatives like human rights cities.

Articles Trends: Her recent publications analyze human rights cities as tools for decolonization and racial justice, counter-hegemonic struggles against corporate power, and transnational environmental activism. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical advocacy in global governance and urban policy.

Awards:

• 2022 Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Globalization and Cultural Studies
• 2018 International Studies Association Activist-Scholar Award
• 2016 Iris Marion Young Award for Political Engagement
• 2009 Semi-finalist for Grawemeyer Award

Grants & Advising: Smith secured grants like the 2021 Momentum Funds for water equity research and the 2013 NSF grant on transnational networks. She mentors scholars through interdisciplinary collaborations and workshops on global justice.

Labs/Teams: She leads the Pittsburgh Human Rights City Alliance and the U.S. Human Rights Cities Alliance, fostering cross-city solidarity and advocacy against systemic inequality.