Biographical sketches and contact information
Smith, William James, Jr.
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I focus my research and teaching at the nexus of environment-technology-society relations. I have an interdisciplinary background, with particular expertise in management of water resources and "sustainability" praxis. My work incorporates a variety of modeling techniques, and investigation of underlying causes of changes in relations between humans and the environment utilizing political economy and political ecology approaches.
In industrialized settings I largely focus on conservation and public participation to mitigate hazards and protect ecology and society. For example, I have published a book, multiple book chapters, a piece with the World Health Organization, and articles, regarding the potential of water conservation rates and conservation technologies to support what is commonly referred to as "sustainable development." In less-wealthy parts of the world my focus is on improving access to safe drinking water, geographic information systems, and environmental justice. For example, on the state scale, I have worked in the Federated States of Micronesia on building the ability to perform spatial analysis, especially focusing on watersheds and coastal land use. On island and village scales, I have researched ways to improve access to safe drinking water utilizing culturally, physically, and economically appropriate "low" water and sanitation technologies, environmental education, and public participation in watershed management. I have also conducted research in the Philippines on water privatization. Other areas I focus on include renewable energy, impacts of free trade, environmental governance, climate change, stormwater management, biodiversity and small islands, with regional interests in the Pacific Islands and the Philippines.