For the first part of her research career Dr.Smith focused attention on understanding and preventing violence against women. She currently participates in partnerships at the national, state and local levels that seek to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
In 2004, with support from the Linda Arnold Carlisle Professorship, she expanded her work to focus on examining the intersections between breastfeeding, motherhood, work, gender and feminism. This research lead to the development of the Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium Series, an international symposium dedicated to lifting up scholarship and practice that illuminates the connections between breastfeeding and gender (in) equality. This work naturally extends to helping to secure full rights, equity and justice for women for their full reproductive and productive capabilities.
She is currently the Co-Director of the Gender Working Group of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, coordinator of the UNCG Breastfeeding Committee and is co-editor of a book under contract with Reutgers University Press called Beyond Health, Beyond Choice: Breastfeeding Constraints and Realities. This book emerged from scholarship presented at the 5th Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium.