Faculty Profiles

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Dr. Chad Leighton Smith

  • Professor - Sociology
Portrait of Dr. Chad Leighton Smith

Biography and expertise

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.

Education

Doctorate Degree

PhD in Sociology

Washington State University, 2005

Master's Degree

MA in History

Northern Arizona University, 1995

Bachelor's Degree

BA in History

University of Texas at Austin, 1993

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

  • 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.
  • Smith, C. L., Hooks, G., & Lengefeld, M. (2024). Linking the Treadmills of Production and Destruction to Disproportionate Carbon Emissions. Npj Climate Action, 3. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-024-00156-8
  • 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/10.1007/978-3-030-77712-8_18
  • 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/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.
View all scholarly/creative works
  • 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 Nominee: Presidential Award for Excellence in Service, Departmental Nominee, Department of Sociology. 2025 - 2026
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  1. Member

    Continuity of Education Work Group

  2. Member

    Learning Management System Steering Committee

  3. Member

    Field of Study Advisory Committee, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

  4. Member

    Sustainability Studies Advisory Council

  5. Participant

    College Review Group - College of Health Professions

  6. Member

    Graduate College Master’s Exit Survey Advisory Board

  7. View all activities