Kelly Smith

Kelly J. Smith is a PhD candidate in Teaching, Learning and Sociocultural Studies in the College of Education focusing on environmental and sustainability education. His current research is exploring how augmented reality experiences that employ place responsive design decisions and incorporate critical place inquiry may help foster connections with place and both compose and explore collective narratives of place. Prior to coming to the University of Arizona, Kelly spent 20 years teaching students in first through third grade - a majority of which was dedicated to helping students explore the environment in all subject areas using place-based education, problem-based learning, and inquiry-based learning. He obtained his BA in History and Elementary Education Certification from Seattle Pacific University and his MA in Teaching and Learning from Nova Southeastern University. Kelly was the recipient of the Paul Lindsey internship for the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning and the Mary F. and Maude D. Miller Scholarship for the College of Education. He is a member of the editorial team for The Journal of Environmental Education where he served as associate editor from 2018-2020 and currently serves as managing editor.