I am a full professor in the Department of Political Science in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta, and a 2018 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellow, a 2018 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award, and a 2018-19 Provost Fellow in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy. My research and engaged scholarship draws on critical theoretical perspectives in the social sciences and the humanities to explore questions of equity, human rights and social justice, African political economy and security studies, and diversity, decoloniality in higher education. My recent published research traverses four main areas: first, diversity in theory and practice; second, critical African security studies including 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 in Canada, edited by J. Brodie (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 J. Brodie and S. Rein); and States of Race: Critical Race Feminism for the 21st Century (2010, with S. Razack and S. Thobani). Currently, I am working on an edited volume, The Nuances of Blackness in the Academy (with A. Ibrahim, T. Kitossa, and H. Wright), my Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellowship project, "A Seat at the Table: Engendering Black Canadian Pasts and Futures," and, with a new publisher, a new edition of Critical Concepts: An Introduction to Politics (with J. Brodie and S. Rein).
Selected National Engagement
Recent Awards, Honours and Recognition:
- 2018 - Lauréate de la Fondation Pierre Elliott Trudeau 2018 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellow.
- 2018 - Provost Fellow, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, August 2018- December, 2019.
- 2018 - Viola Desmond Awards Honouree, 10th Annual Viola Desmond Awards, Ryerson University, Toronto (May 11).
- 2018 - Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Award, from the University of Alberta, Edmonton
- 2018 - "ISA-Canada Distinguished Scholar Award, 2018-19" from the International Studies Association-Canada (April)
- 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:
"Canadian government unveils draft Athena SWAN charter: Consultations will continue in February and March with underrepresented groups and academic institutions on the draft charter aimed at promoting equity, diversity and inclusion," by Anqi Shen, University Affairs (February 20, 2019).
"Alberta professor sheds light on trailblazing Black women in Canadian history," by Fida Kashmala, Toronto Star (February 15, 2019).
"New numbers on Black Canadians: Alberta's black population has grown exponentially. But do you know how diverse it is? We'll dive into the new Stats Can numbers," CBC Edmonton AM with Mark Connolly and Tara McCarthy (February 14, 2019).
"Trailblazers: Black Women in Canadian Politics," YouTube (February 8, 2019).
"U of A researcher unearths hidden female figures of Canadian black history. Political scientist launches video “excavation project” to highlight contributions of trailblazing black women," by Geoff McMaster, Folio (February 8, 2019).
"Black students at U of A launch new group: University’s first-ever Black Students’ Association aims to help members connect culturally, share similar experiences and give back to wider community," by Geoff McMaster, Folio (January 25, 2019).
"Black students at U of A form new group to provide support and tackle discrimination." By Nadine Yousif, The Star Edmonton (December 16, 2018).
"Political Scientist Malinda S. Smith named 2018 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellow," Faculty of Arts (June 26, 2018).
"The extra load that professors of colour have to bear." By Anya Zoledziowski, The Globe and Mail (June 3, 2018)
"Work for equity and inclusion recognized (An Edmonton woman who helped bring black history month to Alberta is being honoured at the Viola Desmond Awards today in Toronto)," CBC Radio Active (May 11, 2018)
"Dr. Malinda Smith honored for contributions to education," By Shavaughn Moss, The Nassau Guardian (April 16, 2018).
'Official recognition of Black History Month in Alberta an uphill battle; A lack of knowledge writes blacks out of Alberta and Canada’s history, says political scientist Malinda S. Smith,' By Donna McKinnon on February 26, 2018.
"Equitable campuses, but for whom? Scholars push for a deeper look at how race and racism play out on university campuses." By Jackie Wong, University Affairs (November 8, 2017).
“Lack of faculty diversity can affect studies and career aspirations.” By Anya Zoledziowski, Globe and Mail (October 18, 2017).
"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)