Vincent M. Smith, PhD

Associate Professor of Environmental Science & Policy
PhD, Environmental Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 2011; MS Environmental Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; BA Biology, Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri

Research Interests
My research explores the complex coupled human-environment systems that shape the world in which we live. I am currently looking specifically at food system design, community food insecurity, and the relationships between food policy and health. I am also working on research with an undergraduate researcher exploring the nature of food purchasing decisions as they relate to local buying systems. Overall, my research is driven by community and/or regional problem-solving. I partner with communities to understand socio-environmental problems and then apply that research in decision-making contexts. My work spans several traditional disciplinary boundaries including human ecology, environmental sociology, landscape ecology, agroecology, and human geography.

Though my research interests focus specifically around humans and the environment, I enjoy working with students from a wide range of sociological and environmental backgrounds. I have advised undergraduate capstone research projects on topics as diverse as body modification to permaculture. I am currently working with two undergraduate research assistants on collaborative research. I welcome additional committed students with compatible research interests.

In addition to my current research interests, I actively participate in the teaching and learning community at SOU through workshops, mentoring, and peer-assessment.

Courses taught at SOU:

• University Foundations: Green House (HSE 101,102,103)
• The Southern Oregon Bioregion (ES 100)
• Introduction to Environmental Science: Social Science (ES 103)
• Environmental Science & Policy II (ES 310)
• Sustainability and Natural Resources (ES 423)
• EcoAdventure: Costa Rica (ES 498)
• EcoAdventure: Mayan Riviera (ES 498)
• EcoAdventure: Andes to Amazon (ES 498)
• Environmental Sociology (ES/SOC 420)
• The Sociological Imagination (SOC 204)
• Social Problems and Policy: Food and Nutrition (SOC 205)
• Sociological Practice: Research Design and Writing (SOC 301)
• Introduction to Social Research Methods (SOC 326)
• Community Studies: Community-Based Research (SOC 310)
• Sociology of the Family (SOC 312)
• Food, Power, and Agriculture (SOC 425)

Selected Publications, Presentations, and Projects:
Smith, V., M. Powell, and D. Mungeam. 2018. The Impact of Cannabis Production on the Southern Oregon Food System: A Stakeholder Assessment. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (In Revision).

Lindgren, A., Kerlinger, A., Smith, V.M. 2015. Food Insecurity and Changing Food Values: “Fresh,” “Local,” and “Organic,” as a Value Amongst America’s Poor. Agriculture and Human Values (Submitted).

Anderson, Aaron, Smith, VM. 2016. Rogue Valley Grower Economic Assessment Report 2015. Rogue Valley Food System Council and Myer Memorial Trust.

Silbernagel, J., Host, G., Fortner, R., Axler, R., Danz, N., Smith, V., Mathews, J., Hart, D., Hagley, C., Wagler, M., Axler, M., Bartsch, W., & A. Drewes. 2014. Linking place-based science to people through spatial narratives of coastal stewardship. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 19:2: 181-198.

Lindgren, A., Smith, V.M., Skuratwoicz, E. 2014. Rogue Valley Grower Economic Assessment Report 2013. Rogue Valley Food System Council and Myer Memorial Trust.

Smith, Vincent M., and John Harrington. 2014. Community Food Production as Food Security: Resource and Market Valuation in Madison, WI USA. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development. 4:2 61-80.

Smith, Vincent M. 2013. From Agonism to Action. In Common Magazine. Fall/Winter: 29.

Smith, Vincent M., Greene, R., Silbernagel, J.M. 2012. The Social and Spatial Dynamics of Community Food Production. Landscape Ecology. 28: 1415-1426.

Smith, Vincent M. E. Barker, et al. (2011). Growing Your Own. Wisconsin Garden Journal: Celebrating Our Past, Cultivating Our Future. Madison, WI, University of Wisconsin Extension.

Smith, Vincent M. 2011. Growing Our Own. The Socioeconomic Value of Community Food Production: Madison Area Community Gardening: Executive Summary. Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin and City of Madison.

Smith, Vincent M. 2008. Environmental Belief Formation in Children: A Tool for Environmental Education. VDM Verlag. 2008.

For additional publications see my full CV

Office: Science Hall 069
Phone: 541.552.6802
E-Mail: smithv3@sou.edu