Timothy J. Smith

Dr. Timothy J. Smith is a Professor of Anthropology at Appalachian State University, leading research and teaching in political and legal anthropology, with a focus on Latin America. He has held roles as Department Chair (2016-21) and Chancellor’s Advanced Leadership Fellow (2022-23). His research explores governance, indigenous politics, and environmental subjectivities in Guatemala, Ecuador, France, and the U.S. He has authored key works on electoral participation in Guatemala and oil extraction impacts in Ecuador.

Smith earned his Ph.D. (2004) and M.A. (2000) from SUNY Albany, and B.A./B.S. from Tulane University. Awards include the UNC Board of Governors Teaching Award (2019) and multiple fellowships at Harvard, Princeton, and Duke. He directs anthropology field schools in Guatemala and Ecuador and contributes to editorial boards of journals like Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology.

• Education: Ph.D. 2004 (SUNY Albany), B.A./B.S. 1998 (Tulane)
• Leadership: Department Chair, Chancellor’s Fellowship Programs
• Research Interests: Democracy, Indigenous Rights, Environmental Justice