Brian G. Smith, Ph.D.
Brian Smith has built a research program on public relations management and social media, with a particular focus on how people use social media for social advocacy.
Brian G. Smith, Ph.D., is director and professor of public relations in the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication. Smith is a Fulbright Scholar, two-time Arthur W. Page Center Legacy Scholar, and co-editor of International Journal of Strategic Communication. Smith has built a research program on public relations management and social media, with a particular focus on how people use social media for social advocacy. He has published over 40 journal articles and book chapters. He has presented at conferences worldwide and currently serves on the advisory board of the International Public Relations Research Conference. Prior to his work in academia, Smith filled positions in online brand marketing management, editorial management, and market research. He is an avid traveler, lederhosen wearer, and sushi-eater. He is also the co-creator of four boys.
Q&A with Brian Smith
Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?
I was born and raised in Southern California with access to everything — Disneyland, the beach, the mountains — but I wanted to travel and experience the world. After spending two years living in Spain (I still speak Spanish with a Spanish accent), I went to college in Utah. After graduating with my master's degree, I worked in a variety of fields, from marketing to journalism, with a goal to be a published writer. I eventually worked my way to grad school at the University of Maryland where I got my Ph.D. and started my academic life traveling, researching, writing, and teaching. I most recently worked at Ole Miss where I was the inaugural department chair of integrated marketing communication.
This academic life has led me to live all over the United States and Europe, from Texas, Indiana, and Mississippi, to Spain, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Coming to VCU as the new director of the Richard T. Robertson School of Communication, my goal is to help others build their own path through the benefits I've seen from a university education.
When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?
As much as I loved Superman as a kid, I actually wanted to be Clark Kent. The life of an investigative reporter — to do research and write — was thrilling to me. After getting my master's, I landed in the market research field around 9/11 and had the chance to do research and write reports that landed on the U.S. President's desk. From there, I had the chance to work with and get advice from some amazing researchers and writers, ranging from Malcolm Gladwell and Seth Godin to the legendary Maya Angelou.
In 2005 I decided that to be a published writer, I had to learn how to really do research, so I started a Ph.D. in communication. Since then, I've had the chance to do research, write, and publish on a range of issues throughout the United States and Europe.
Can you explain the focus of your research?
I examine how social media is used for influence and to create social change, and have analyzed a range of topics from social media-driven advocacy to influencers and content creators and online activism. I have a particular focus on international social media use, examining social media engagement in Austria as part of a Fulbright Award in 2017, and, last year, doing research for NATO on international influencers.
Can you talk a little about your teaching philosophy? What do you most like about teaching?
My big thing is helping students change their worldview. In the classroom I like to take students through real-world cases and ethical conundrums and have them take different perspectives and see the implications. I like to bring in real-world clients as well. Outside the classroom, I have taken students all over Europe giving them immersive experiences in countries like Spain, Italy, and Austria.
What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?
After getting my Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, I've always wanted to return to the East Coast but never found the right opportunity until last summer. I was at a conference in San Francisco and a faculty member told me the Robertson School of Communication had an opening for a school director and he was putting my name in for consideration.
Coming to VCU, I'm really excited about the vibe in Richmond and on campus. Richmond has so much to do; I've already seen a Richmond Flying Squirrels game, and I'm looking forward to taking full advantage of the art and music scene (I have a few concerts already lined up).
As for VCU, I love the concept of the "UNCommon" and breaking free from what has always been done in education. I'm excited about building new curricula at the Robertson School that will help students not only break into the communication and journalism fields, but change those fields at the same time.
Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?
I love Vans shoes. My earliest memory as a child was getting my first pair. I must have been four or five. Today, I have way too many pairs — the weirder or louder the color or design the better. And I love wearing them to teach. In fact, I never wear anything but Vans.
I love music. I play piano and guitar. I especially love playing music with my sons who are better than me at piano and guitar. Whenever we perform (usually with a different band name every time) we do a cover of the Beatles, R.E.M., or The Lumineers. I'm also a huge indie music fan, and my motto is “Life is too short to listen to the same music.” So, for me, the more obscure the band, the better. I love finding new music. My “liked music” playlist on Spotify has stuff I've only ever listened to once, and it's always playing in my office. I have a sign in my office that says, "My neighbors are listening to great music, whether they like it or not.” I love going to concerts and am looking forward to the RVA music scene!
I am a fish out of water. I love to be in the ocean. Whether body surfing or just swimming, the ocean is my happy place. It's my goal to swim in every major body of water (where the temperature permits).
I currently have a 1,646 day streak on DuoLingo. I love learning languages, and used it to teach myself Italian.