Keri Iyall Smith, PhD

Research Interests

I am interested in the intersections between human rights doctrine, the state, and indigenous peoples. Following my dissertation research, I continue to explore the question: what are opportunities for indigenous groups to attain greater rights? I am currently studying the experience of indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. While these countries have adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, they continue to engage in actions that violate this Declaration.

Employment History

• I previously worked as Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Stonehill College.

Selected Publications

• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran, editors. 2019. Sociology for Human Rights: Approaches for Applying Theories and Methods. New York: Routledge
• Keri E. Iyall Smith, Louis Esparza, and Judith Blau, editors. 2017. Human Rights Of, By, and For the People. New York: Routledge.
• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran, editors. 2017. Movements for Human Rights: Locally and Globally. New York: Routledge.
• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran, editors. 2016. Institutions Unbound: Social Worlds and Human Rights. New York: Routledge
• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran, editors. 2015. Expanding the Human in Human Rights: Toward A Sociology of Human Rights. New York: Routledge.
• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran, editors. 2013 The Handbook of Sociology and Human Rights. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith, editor. 2012 Sociology of Globalization: Cultures, Economies, and Politics. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2011 “‘Breathing Life’ Into the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” Societies Without Borders, VI:1. (Peer Reviewed).
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2009 “Teaching and Learning Guide for: A Review of the Study of the Political Status of Indigenous Peoples in the Global Context.” Sociology Compass, Volume 3.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2008. “Chapter Eleven: Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” In The Leading Rogue State edited by Judith Blau, David Brunsma, Alberto Moncada, and Cathy Zimmer. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishers.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2008. “Comparing State and International Protections of Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights.” American Behavioral Scientist. Special Issue on Indigenous Peoples, edited by James V. Fenelon. Invited Article.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith and Patricia Leavy, editors. Hybrid Identities: Theoretical and Empirical Examinations. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill Publishers.
• Stephanie Teixeira and Keri E. Iyall Smith. “Core and Periphery Relations: A Study of the Maya.” Journal of World Systems Research, XIV:1.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. “A Review of the Study of the Political Status of Indigenous Peoples in the Global Context.” Sociology Compass, Volume 1.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2007. “New Agoras and Old Institutions: The Case of Human Rights.” Systemic Practice and Action Research. Special Issue entitled “Understanding the Complexity of Democratic Civil Society.” Invited Article.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. 2006. The State and Indigenous Movements. New York: Routledge.
• Judith R. Blau and Keri E. Iyall Smith, editors. 2006. Public Sociologies Reader. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield.

Recent Presentations

• November 2020 “The International Survey of Human Rights.” American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS Science, Technology and Human Rights Conference. Virtual.
• August 2020 “The International Survey of Human Rights: An Introduction.” American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Virtual.
• August 2020 “We Need Another Path: Indigenous Approaches to Sustainability.” American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Virtual (paper was accepted, but I was unable to present due to COVID-19 pandemic related issues).
• August 2019 “Decolonizing Human Rights: A Path to Human Rights for All.” American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. New York, NY.
• July 2018 “The Human Rights of Autistic People.” International Sociology Association. World Congress of Sociology. Toronto, Canada.
• August 2016 “For a Decolonized US Constitution.” American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA.
• March 2016 “Using Consciousness, Vision, and Strategy (CVS) to Rewrite the US Constitution.” Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting. Boston, MA.
• August 2015 “From Individual Rights to Community: A Cultural Revolution.” American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
• July 2014 “Indigenous Populations Achieving Human Rights in the Global South?” International Sociological Association. Yokohama, Japan.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. “How do Native Americans Fit in Sociology? Uncovering Intellectual Holes.” August 2012. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran. “Sociology and Human Rights: Resituating the Discipline.” August, 2012. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. “Section on Human Rights Invited Author Meets Critics Session." August 2012. The Handbook of Sociology and Human Rights (Paradigm Publishers, 2012), Edited by David L. Brunsma, Keri E. Iyall Smith, and Brian K. Gran. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting. Denver, CO.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. “From Declaration to Action’: Indigenous Peoples and the UN.” May, 2011. Research, Action, and Pedagogy Conference. Cal Poly Pomona Psychology and Sociology Department.
• Keri E. Iyall Smith. “Equality Without Co-Optation: Indigenous Peoples Mediate to Promote Self-Determination at the UN.” August, 2010. American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

Selected Professional Activities

• Editor, Societies Without Borders, 2008-2013 and 2020-present
• Representative to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, Science and Human Rights Coalition, 2018-present.
• Editorial Board Member, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, an American Sociological Association Journal, 2015-2019.
• Chairperson, American Sociological Association Section on Human Rights, 2012-2013
• Editorial Board Member, Sociology Compass, Blackwell Publishing, 2006-2018
• Book Review Editor, Societies Without Borders, Brill Publishers, 2005-2008
• Vice-President, Sociologists Without Borders, 2006-2011
• Organizing committee member, “Boston Human Rights: Ideas and Action” a conference planned by Boston area activists and academics and Sociologists without Borders, 2007-2008