Martin Smith

Martin D. Smith is the George M. Woodwell Distinguished Professor of Environmental Economics and Director of Graduate Studies for Duke University's University Program in Environmental Policy. He holds a secondary appointment in the Economics Department at Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Smith earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis (2001) and B.A. from Stanford University (1992).

His research focuses on the economics of oceans, fisheries, coastal adaptation, and sustainable food systems. He examines policy impacts through lenses of behavioral feedbacks, market dynamics, and coupled human-natural systems. Methodologically, he employs micro-econometrics, optimal control theory, and numerical modeling.

• Recent grants include studies on coastal adaptation collaboratives, fisheries management systems, and climate belief impacts on coastal economies.
• Publications span Nature, Science, and leading economics journals, addressing topics from marine reserves to aquaculture externalities.

Smith has received prestigious recognitions including the Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship and awards from the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. He serves on the National Academies' Ocean Studies Board and editorial roles for top journals like Marine Resource Economics and Journal of Environmental Economics and Management.

His work bridges academia and policy, contributing to fisheries governance, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable seafood systems. Current projects explore coastal property markets under sea-level rise and traceability in global seafood trade.