Dr. Daniel Scott Smith
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Daniel Scott Smith Assistant Professor of Sociology Daniel studies the social foundations of science: how we do it, make sense of it, and value it. Currently, he is studying scientific peer review in journals and the patenting process at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In the Sociology Department, he teaches core methods courses for both undergraduate and PhD students.
As an undergraduate, he lived in a dorm with faculty in residence for three of his four years. Later, as a PhD student, he worked with faculty-in-residence programs to support undergraduates for another three years. As a first-generation, low-income student who relied on Pell Grants, he knows firsthand that authentic faculty mentorship can be transformative. He sees that work as some of the most important — and meaningful — parts of being a faculty member.
Daniel's from Tampa, Florida and has spent half his life there and, roughly, the other half in the Bay Area. In between, he lived in Germany for some years, where he has a godson. When not at Duke, Daniel hikes and camps all over the world with his husband and their dog, Spruce. Around campus, you may spot him playing fetch with her — or catch the smell of spicy Thai food from his kitchen.