Biography and expertise
Professor Tim Smith is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Southern Cross University and a member of the University's Executive Leadership Team. He is responsible for shaping the University's research strategy and performance, strengthening research quality and impact, expanding partnerships, and growing research funding across government, industry and international collaborators.
Professor Smith is an alumnus of Southern Cross University and an internationally recognised human geographer whose research focuses on coastal management, water security and climate change adaptation. His work examines how communities, governments and industries respond to social and environmental change, with a strong focus on translating research into practical outcomes that support environmental sustainability, climate resilience and regional communities.
Prior to joining Southern Cross University, Professor Smith held senior leadership roles at the University of Waikato, including Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences, as well as Executive Dean of Arts, Business and Law at the University of the Sunshine Coast and Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design at Lincoln University. Across these roles, he led interdisciplinary research portfolios, strengthened research performance and built partnerships with government, industry and community organisations. Beyond academia, he has also worked with CSIRO, government agencies and private industry.
He also holds adjunct and affiliated Professor positions at Brock University (Canada) and Uppsala University (Sweden), bringing extensive experience in research strategy, capability development and institutional leadership to his current role.
His work supports Southern Cross University's commitment to research that delivers meaningful outcomes for communities, industry and the environment. It also strengthens the University's national and international research profile.