معرفی
Michael G. Smith is a Professor of History at Purdue University's College of Liberal Arts, specializing in Russian History and Aerospace History. His office is located in BRNG 6170, where he holds office hours by appointment and before or after class. Dr. Smith teaches a diverse range of courses including History of Russia to 1861 (HIST 238), History of Russia from 1861 (HIST 239), History of Aviation (HIST 384), and History of the Space Age (HIST 387), along with numerous advanced seminars on Russian history, aerospace history, and global historical topics.
Dr. Smith earned his Ph.D. from Georgetown University in 1991 and has established himself as a leading scholar in both Russian revolutionary history and aerospace history. His research demonstrates remarkable interdisciplinary breadth, connecting linguistic studies with political history in the Soviet context while simultaneously exploring the cultural dimensions of space exploration and aviation history.
His scholarly output reveals two major research trajectories: deep investigations into the Russian Revolution with particular focus on language policy, nationalities issues, and revolutionary violence in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus region; and pioneering work on the history of aerospace, space exploration, and the cultural dimensions of the Space Age. These dual interests converge in his examination of how technological innovation intersects with political ideology and national identity formation.
Dr. Smith has successfully mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students whose research has resulted in publications in respected journals such as the Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research, Quest: The History of Spaceflight Quarterly, and Astropolitics. His students have explored diverse topics including Purdue's aviation pioneers, NASA mission insignia, Shuttle-Mir program, and regional impacts of space programs.
Working closely with the Purdue Archives, Dr. Smith has developed innovative archival-research seminars that have produced multiple student publications and special projects including Flight Paths: Purdue University's Aerospace Pioneers and Purdue Students Study Boilermaker Eugene Cernan's Remarkable Career. His commitment to connecting historical research with contemporary technological heritage has created unique opportunities for students to engage with primary sources related to aerospace history.
