Steve Smith has published in a variety of internationally renowned settings, including four book-length research monographs, and numerous edited collections, journal articles, book chapters, and commissioned reports.

His main overall research interest is in applying abstract philosophical principles and arguments concerning social values, to the formulation and implementation of social and professional policies and practices. The applied character of this research has related, for example, to the politics of disability and the disability rights movement; the political philosophies and ideologies of modern welfare states; the politics and philosophy of multiculturalism; liberal egalitarianism and the politics of ‘social justice’ and ‘fairness’; the philosophy, politics and policies associated with promoting the values of well-being, equality, diversity, social inclusion, reciprocity, agency, freedom, autonomy, resilience and citizenship.

More specifically, Professor Smith’s present research interests include, for example, examining different conceptions of self-interest and personal identity as related to the promotion of individual well-being; the role of co-production in the formulation and implementation of social policy in medical and disability care settings; theory-building concerning ‘social prescribing’ and the role of co-production in GP practices; the role of Fairness Commissions in developing and scrutinising Local Government policies and practices, and while significant cuts in Local Government budgets are implemented.

Grants Awarded

(2017-2020) Co-participant Welsh Government Grant for Wales Centre for Primary & Emergency Care Research (PRIME centre Wales) (total to consortium £2.7 million). This is a Health and Care Research Wales funded research centre. In this role Professor Smith has been appointed onto the management executive committee, responsible for identifying cross cutting themes in social care and policy, working alongside colleagues from USW, The University of Swansea, The University of Bangor, and The University of Cardiff. PRIME centre Wales aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Wales and internationally, through undertaking high quality research on topics of national policy priority which contributes to the evidence-base in primary and emergency care.

(2015-2017) Co-participant Welsh Government grant for Wales Centre for Primary & Emergency Care Research (PRIME centre) (total to consortium £2.3 million). This is a Health and Care Research Wales funded research centre. In this role Professor Smith was appointed onto the management executive committee, responsible for identifying cross cutting themes in social policy, working alongside colleagues from USW, The University of Swansea, The University of Bangor, and The University of Cardiff. PRIME centre Wales aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Wales and internationally, through undertaking high quality research on topics of national policy priority which contributes to the evidence-base in primary and emergency care.

(2009-2011) Co-participant European Union Grant: PROJECT RESPECT (total to consortium approximately 1.5 million Euros) ‘“Topography” of Tolerance and Equal Respect.’ In this role Professor Smith contributed to a comparative study of policies for the distribution of public spaces in culturally diverse societies – partnership with University of Pavia (lead institution), University of Zapadoceska, University of Rennes, University of Bremen, University of Ljibljana, University of Vercelli, University of Humanities Lithuania, University of Budapest, University of Ural, and University of Wales, Newport.

(2006-2009) Co-participant European Union Grant: PROJECT EuroEthos (total to consortium approximately 1 million Euros) ‘Exploring the Foundations of a Shared European Pluralistic Ethos.’ In this role Professor Smith contributed to a comparative investigation of religious and secular ethical values in an enlarging Europe – in partnership with University of Trento (lead institution), University of Bremen, University of Olomouc, University of Bratislavia, University of Ankara, University of Valencia, and University of Wales, Newport.