Faculty Profile for Dr. Chad Leighton Smith

profile photo for Dr. Chad Leighton Smith
Dr. Chad Leighton Smith
Professor — Sociology
THH 470
phone: (512) 245-2113

Biography Section

Biography and Education

I received my Ph.D. in Sociology from Washington State University in 2005. I graduated from the University of Texas in Austin (B.A., 1993) and Northern Arizona University (M.A., 1995) with degrees in History. I have been at Texas State University since 2004 and I am the graduate director for Sustainability Studies.

Teaching Interests

I teach both undergraduate and graduates courses in environmental sociology and sustainability.

Research Interests

My main line of research focuses upon the intersection of the environment, the military, and social inequality. I co-developed a theory in environmental sociology known as the Treadmill of Destruction and it continues to be my main area of research. My other area of research is related to social inequality and environmental justice.

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Lengefeld, M., Hooks, G., & Smith, C. L. (2021). War and the Environment. In Handbook of Environmental Sociology (pp. 381–401). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77712-8_18
  • Clement, M. T., Smith, C. L., & Leverenz-Soetaert, T. (2021). Quality of Life and the Carbon Footprint: A Zip-Code Level Study Across the United States. The Journal of Environment & Development, 30(4), 323–343.
  • Hooks, G., Lengefeld, M. R., & Smith, C. L. (2021). Recasting the Treadmills of Production and Destruction: New Theoretical Directions. Sociology of Development, 7(1), 52–76. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1525/sod.2021.7.1.52
  • Leon-Corwin, M., Clement, M. T., & Smith, C. L. (2020). Are Global Neighborhoods in Houston Less Polluted? A Spatial Analysis of 21st Century Urban Demographics. Human Ecology Review, 26(1), 117–139.
  • Smith, C. L., Hooks, G., & Lengefeld, M. (2020). Treadmills of Production and Destruction in the Anthropocene: Coca Production and Gold Mining in Colombia and Peru. Journal of World-Systems Research, 26(2), 231–262.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Recipient: Honorary Professor of International Studies, Center for International Studies, Texas State University. April 2017 - 2017
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi National Honor Society. September 2016 - 2016
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Development Leave Award (including supplemental award), Texas State University, Awarded by Faculty Senate. 2011
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Dean’s Excellence Award in Teaching, College of Liberal Arts, Texas State University. 2008
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Alpha Chi Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi Honor Society. 2020

Selected Grants

  • Hooks, Gregory, Smith, Chad Leighton. A Quiet Environmental Crisis: The Toxic Legacy of Military and Civilian Activities, National Science Foundation, Federal, $159577. (Submitted: 2005, Funded: 2005 - 2007). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Continuity of Education Work Group
2020-2021
Member
Learning Management System Steering Committee
2019-2021
Member
Field of Study Advisory Committee, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
2018-2021
Member
Sustainability Studies Advisory Council
2016-2021
Participant
College Review Group - College of Health Professions
2019-2020