I am a full professor in the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta. My research and engaged scholarship draws on critical theoretical perspectives in political theory, the social sciences and the humanities to explore questions of equity and human rights, social well being and social justice, and decolonization and social transformation. My published research traverses four main areas: first, critical African political economy and the political economy of development; second, critical security studies including the the temporality and spatiality of terrorism; third, the genealogy of poverty and inequality, and, fourth, gender, critical race and intersectionality in higher education.
Most recently I am the author of journal articles such as, "Race, racialization and Indigeneity in Canadian universities" in Race, Ethnicity and Education, 20, 3 (2017), and book chapters such as, "Diversity in Theory, Practice, and Policy" in Contemporary Inequalities and Social Justice, edited by Janine Brodie (forthcoming University of Toronto Press, 2018).
A Social Science and Humanities Research Council-funded study examined the representation and status of racialized and Indigenous scholars, scholarship, and supports in the Canadian academy. Our coauthored book (with Ena Dua, Frances Henry, Carl James, Audrey Kobayashi, Peter Li, and Howard Ramos), The Equity Myth: Racialization and Indigeneity at Canadian Universities, was released in June 2017 with the University of British Columbia Press.
I am also the editor of three books, including Securing Africa: Post-9/11 Discourses on Terrorism (Ashgate, 2010); ‘Beyond the African Tragedy’: Discourses on Development and the Global Economy (Ashgate, 2006, Routledge, 2016); and Globalizing Africa (Africa World Press, 2003). I am also the co-editor of two books, including Critical Concepts: An Introduction to Politics (2013, with Janine Brodie and Sandra Rein); and States of Race: Critical Race Feminism for the 21st Century (2010, with Sherene Razack and Sunera Thobani).
Recent Awards, Honours and Recognition:
- 2017 - the "ISA-Canada Distinguished Scholar Award, 2018-19" from the International Studies Association-Canada (August 3)
- 2017 - "The Edvocate's List of 20 Must-Follow Higher Education Twitter Feeds." The Edvocate (Virginia, January 18)
- 2016 - "12 Academic Twitter accounts you should be following," University Affairs, (Ottawa, July 14).
- 2016 - the HSBC 'Community Contributor of the Year Award' from the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion;
- 2015 - the national ‘Equity Award’ from the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT);
- 2013 - the inaugural ‘Human Rights Education Recognition Award’ from the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights;
- 2011 - the ‘Academic Woman of the Year’ Award from the Academic Women’s Association, University of Alberta; and
- 2010 - the 'Anti-Racism Award' (individual category) from the Centre for Race and Culture.
Selected Recent Media:
"Universities prepare for new equity guidelines for Canada Research Chairs. Institutions are required to submit action plans by year’s end and are expected to meet their diversity targets by December 2019." By Natalie Samson, University Affairs (September 5, 2017).
"What white supremacy looks like minus the Charlottesville paraphernalia: It’s easy to condemn people who chant “white power” — but as long as you are a bystander in action, you perpetuate supremacy." By Sheree Paradkar, Toronto Star (August 18, 2017).
"What's happening on university campuses: 'What universities do to embolden white supremacy'?" On Sense of Place with Minelle Mahtani, Roundhouse Radio 98.3, Vancouver (August 18, 2017).
"Happy Birthday Canada, now what? Canada 50 years from now may surprise you, if our experts have any say." By Donna McKinnon, Work of Arts (July 14, 2017).
"A Canada 150 celebration? Not so fast." By Donna McKinnon, Work of Arts (June 29, 2017).
"Black graduates celebrated at special U of T ceremony: Event honours excellence and aims to empower students who still face challenges." By Michelle McQuigge, CBC News (June 22, 2017).
*M. S. Smith (with K. Supernant, N. Bray), "Ottawa's new rules won't close the diversity gap in research chairs," Globe and Mail (May 14, 2017).
"Canada Research Chairs need more Indigenous representations, researchers say." By Omar Mosleh, Metro News (May 1, 2017).
"Hate-proofing: a how-to-guide." By Omar Mouallem, Thought Box, New Trail Alumni Magazine (March 25, 2017).
"How to Have Those Difficult Conversations." By Omar Mouallem, New Trail Alumni Magazine (March 24, 2017).
"Making Black History in Alberta Visible." By Donna McKinnon, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta (February 2, 2017).
"The great Canadian equity fail:Senior ranks in the Canadian academy are still far too white." By Geoff McMaster, University of Alberta (January 31, 2017).
"Do Canada's campuses have a diversity problem?" CBC 'The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti (January 16, 2017).
"Canadian universities failing at diversity: study." By Erin Seatter, Ricochet (December 13, 2016).
- "Ensuring every voice is heard: Malinda S. Smith is trying to reframe how we look at issues of equity." By Caroline Barlott, Work of Arts (May 12, 2016)