Oliver Smith

Dr Oliver Smith is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Criminology at the University of Plymouth, affiliated with the School of Society and Culture within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. He currently serves as Associate Head of School (Research), overseeing research strategy and academic development.

His research interrogates intersections between leisure practices, consumer culture, and systemic harm, with particular focus on environmental crises, dark tourism, and gambling-related harms. Recent work examines the Maldives' ecocide challenges, Alpine ski resort ecologies, and post-pandemic environmental policy frameworks. He also explores digital gambling mechanics, 24/7 capitalism's impacts, and cross-cultural gambling behaviors.

Dr Smith teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate criminology modules, emphasizing critical approaches to modern societal issues. His work bridges criminological theory with practical policy concerns, advocating interdisciplinary solutions to complex social harms.