معرفی
Ryan Anthony Smith is a Lecturer in the Department of History at Missouri State University, specializing in United States and African American history. His work focuses on policing and the carceral state in the rural South, post-slavery emancipation dynamics, and the evolution of citizenship.
Education
- PhD in History (expected May 2025) from the University of Arkansas
- Graduate Certificate in African & African American Studies (2023)
- M.A. in History from Arkansas State University (2017)
- B.A. in History from the University of Central Arkansas (2008)
Research Focus
Smith's research examines the Arkansas penitentiary system from the 1800s to the present, analyzing inmate resistance to exploitative labor practices and the state's economic reliance on unpaid prison labor. He also explores the post-Emancipation Proclamation socio-political landscape, particularly how citizenship definitions evolved in response to racial and systemic challenges in 19th and 20th century America.
Publications Trends
His scholarly output primarily addresses racial justice, carceral systems, and Southern historical memory. Key works include a critical review of Elliott Gorn's analysis of Emmett Till's legacy (2019) and an in-depth study of Laura Conner's prison reform efforts in the 1920s Arkansas (2018).
Scientific Awards and Honors
- J. Hillman Yowell Award for outstanding graduate student instructor (2023)
- Research Fellow at the Pryor Center for Arkansas Visual and Oral History (2019)
- Diane D. Blair Fellowship in Arkansas History (2019)
- Violet B. Gingles Award for outstanding manuscript essay in Arkansas history (2017)
Advising and Community Engagement
Smith teaches AAS 100 - Introduction to African American Studies and HST 121 - Survey of United States History to 1877. He contributes to community engagement through initiatives like National History Day and Talking History (KSMU Radio), though no formal advising records appear in the provided text.
