Dr Michael M Smith

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Geographer and E-Learning Specialist; Programme Leader: MSc Sustainable Rural Development

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e: michael.smith@uhi.ac.uk
t: +44 (0) 1851 770407

Lews Castle College, University of the Highlands & Islands, Faculty of Science, Health and Education

SEARCH NERD

Research Interests

My current areas of research activity have focused on the factors which influence the quality of the online learning experience and e-learning pedagogies. I have also recently being undertaking some interesting research in urban & rural geography and community development.

  • Human and Environmental Geography
  • The pedagogy of online education
  • The use of technologies in online education
  • Rural and Community Development
  • Sustainable Development and the Environment

External interests, member of associations, advisor etc

Professional:

  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
  • Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society (FRGS)

Research Projects

  • 2012-13 - Sandwick Community Profiling Appraisal: Rural Community Development research including a SWOT analysis on community needs
  • 2012-2013 - Northern Periphery Project NHS Western Isles arm of Recruit & Retain: Developing Solutions, Products and Services to Address Recruitment and Retention Issues in Remote and Rural Areas of the Northern Periphery Programme Area. 2004-
  • 2004-2011- Michael Smith (2011) The Quality Factors which Influence Online Learning. PhD thesis UHI.
  • 2001-02 – The Future of Broadband Provision in the Western Isles of Scotland – Commissioned by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Western Isles and Western Isles Council
  • 1998-99 – Western Isles ICT Advisory Service: Research and Develop Project Proposal to European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - Commissioned by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Western Isles and Western Isles Council

Research Supervision Confirmed (recent)

  • (2016) Political economy of community land ownership in Scotland - PhD Thesis, UHI
  • (2016) Understanding the UK Welfare State and Welfare Reform - PhD Thesis, UHI
  • (2015) Assessing the sustainability of tourism initiatives within community land ownership in Knoydart & the Small Isles and the Western Isles, BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2013) Rural Leadership Strategies for Sustainable Community Development, MSc Sustainable Rural Development Thesis, UHI
  • (2012) Can the provision of high-speed broadband access enhance community sustainability in rural areas? PhD Thesis, UHI
  • (2013) What are the key benefits and uses of renewable energy to the communities on the Isle of Lewis? BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2013) How income generated from Wind Farm projects could be spent to impede the outmigration of young people from the Isle of Lewis BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2012) UHI Students Association (Overcoming) Challenges in Engaging Students at Scotland’s Newest University BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2010) Has the potential offered by new technology in the form of renewable energy altered the peoples’ attitude towards land ownership? BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2010) What factors influence participation in household recycling? A comparison between two communities in the Orkney islands BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2007) Public Perception of Renewable Energy in Argyll BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2007) An Investigation of the Barriers to a Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Scotland BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI
  • (2007) A Study of Public Perception of Wind Farm and Avian Interactions BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development Dissertation, UHI

Others marked & confirmed:

  • (2011) Industrial Revolution? Factors that affect the uptake of renewable technologies in rural Scotland – A Comparative Study between Orkney and Shetland BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development, Dissertation, UHI
  • (2011) Is there a sustainable future for rural fishing communities in the West Coast of Scotland: Comparing Lochinver and Mallaig BSc (Hons) Sustainable Rural Development, Dissertation, UHI
  • (2011) Wild Boar: Friend or Foe? Examining the conflict of wild boar (Sus scrofa) management in Ergli Municipality (Latvia) MSc Sustainable Rural Development, Masters Thesis, UHI
  • (2011) Sustainable Local Economic Development: A Local Authority case MSc Sustainable Rural Development, Masters Thesis, UHI
  • (2011) Supermarkets and Sustainable Rural Development: A Local Authority case MSc Sustainable Rural Development, Masters Thesis, UHI
  • (2010) How can farmers and producers on the Black Isle be assisted to engage with the current Local Food agenda? MSc Sustainable Rural Development, Masters Thesis, UHI

Conference Presentations and Workshops

  • Smith, Michael (2017) Demystifying Statistics, UHI Postgraduate Development Workshop, UHI Postgraduate Induction Event, Inverness
  • Smith, Michael (2017)Online Classroom-Supported Learning and Teaching, UHI Learning and Teaching Conference, UHI Network
  • Smith, Michael (2013) What Communities want – Sandwick Community Appraisal and Development Priorities, UHI Sustainability Seminars, UHI Network.
  • Smith, Michael (2013) The Avalanche is coming: Future Trends in Higher Education, NERD Research Unit Network Seminar, Lews Castle College, UHI.
  • Smith, Michael (2013) Managing Discussion Boards in Online Higher Education Courses, SERRM Subject Network Workshop, Oban.
  • Smith, Michael (2013) New and Developing Pedagogies for Online Learning, UHI Virtual Realities Conference, UHI Network.
  • Smith, Michael (2012) Research-Teaching Linkages – Swimming Against the Tide, UHI Research Conference Mapping the Past and Charting the Future Programme and Information.
  • Smith, Michael (2012) Using Interactive Elements of Blackboard: Chat & Discussions Boards, Staff Development Workshop, Lews Castle College, UHI
  • Smith, Michael (2012) The Quality Factors that Influence Online Learning, UHI Sustainability Seminars, UHI Network.
  • Smith, Michael (2011) Social Constructivism Methods in Online Education, UHI Science, Health & Education Faculty Conference, SERRM Workshop, Inverness
  • Smith, Michael (2011) PhD Research Update:Quality Factors in Online Learning, UHI Research Seminar Series, UHI Network
  • Smith, Michael (2011) Online Methods for Higher Education, Staff Development Workshop, Lews Castle College, UHI
  • Smith, Michael (2009) Web 2.0 and Higher Education, UHI Health & Education Faculty Conference, Inverness
  • Smith, Michael (2008) Web 2.0 and Online Learning, UHI Science & Technology Faculty Conference, Inverness
  • Smith, Michael (2008) Web 2.0 Tools for Higher Education, UHI Business & Leisure Faculty Conference, Inverness
  • Smith, Michael (2007) Skype as a Communications Tool for Online Learning, SHHAD Subject Network Workshop, Inverness

UHI Conference Panel Member – Q&A

  • Smith, Michael (2012) Research-Teaching Linkages – UHI Research Conference Mapping the Past and Charting the Future Programme and Information.

Publications

  • Smith, Michael and Macdonald, Donald (2015) ’Assessing Quality and Effectiveness in Fully Online Distance Education’. Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice 3 (1), 24-38
  • Smith, Michael (2001) The Future of Broadband Telecoms Provision In The Western Isles And Associated Skills Development Requirements, [Internet] Work Global. Available from: http://www.connectedcommunities.co.uk/research/downloads/broadbandreport.pdf Accessed: 26 April 2010
  • Smith, Michael (1998) The European ICT Revolution. Rural and Regional Development Journal , 61 (1), pp. 167-185