معرفی
Susan J. Smith is an Honorary Professor of Geography at the University of Cambridge, affiliated with the Department of Geography within the School of the Physical Sciences. She has held prestigious academic and leadership roles, including Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge since 2009, and previously served as Professor of Geography at Durham University and Ogilvie Professor of Geography at the University of Edinburgh. Her career spans over three decades of research, teaching, and public engagement in social and economic geography.
- D.Phil., Faculty of Anthropology and Geography, Nuffield College, Oxford University
- B.A., M.A. in Geography, St Anne’s College, Oxford University
Her research focuses on inequality, particularly in the context of housing, mortgage markets, health, and fear of crime. She has led numerous research projects funded by bodies such as the ESRC, Leverhulme Trust, and Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Her work bridges academic inquiry with public impact, including innovative projects using theatre to communicate research on austerity. Recent collaborations include ARC-funded research on homeownership transitions with scholars from Curtin and RMIT Universities.
Professor Smith's recent publications reveal a sustained focus on the financialization of housing, the dynamics of homeownership, and the links between housing wealth, debt, and wellbeing. Her work critically examines neoliberal housing policies, the ethics of care in markets, and the socio-spatial consequences of financial innovation in housing economies. She frequently publishes in top journals such as Environment and Planning A, Urban Studies, and Housing Studies.
Her major scientific awards include:
- Victoria Medal (2014) from the Royal Geographical Society
- Murchison Award (1998) from the RGS-IBG
- Fellow of the British Academy (2008–present)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE)
- Tanner Lecturer at Clare Hall, Cambridge (2010)
- Julian Minghi Outstanding Research Award (2009)
Susan Smith has supervised PhD students in social and economic geography, particularly on topics related to housing, mortgage markets, and financial innovation. She has also contributed to research strategy and assessment, serving on panels for the ESRC, HEFCE, and Leverhulme Trust. Her leadership extends to editorial roles in major reference works such as the International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home and the SAGE Handbook of Social Geographies.
She leads and collaborates on interdisciplinary research teams, including partnerships with theatre companies to dramatize research findings. Her current project, 'The Great Austerity Debate,' funded by an impact acceleration grant, exemplifies her commitment to public engagement and knowledge exchange.
