Employment History:

Published Works:

Public Speaking Experience:

Why F is an Expert:
My expertise is in designing surveillance systems to assess the rate of injuries or fatalities within at-risk groups and in building participatory planning, training and management systems to improve emergency preparedness, safety and security procedures for public, nonprofit and private organizations.

Best Advice:
The demand for professionals in the fields of safety management and health education is increasing. Individuals already working at introductory or middle levels in closely related fields should make the effort to complete a graduate program in safety management. A background in the military, fire or police service will come in handy; those working as educators or trainers in these industries provide a student with additional skills to bring to the safety and/or health education professions. If a student chooses to pursue a profession in one of these fields, make sure to choose an academic program that emphasizes the development of strong oral and written communication skills, and research assessment, as well as a rigorous academic program. Select programs incorporate opportunities for service learning and a culminating experience requiring a professional internship.

Passionate about:
I am passionate about working with students to help them meet their potential and contribute to health protection and safety management efforts within a community or industry through the reduction of premature death or injury.

Biography Excerpt:
Susan Madison Smith, Ed.D., MSPH, serves as an associate professor of safety and health education, and the director of the Heartland OSHA Training and Education Center at Indiana University. She teaches graduate courses in injury prevention, research and emergency preparedness. Her research focuses on improved emergency preparedness and the evacuation of high-risk groups. Prior to her move to Indiana University in August 2009, Dr. Smith served at the University of Tennessee (UT) for 13 years as the graduate coordinator of safety and health programs and the director of the UT Safety Center, and taught courses in safety, research and emergency management.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: How do you remain current in your profession?  
SUSAN MADISON SMITH ED.D., MSPH:  If you are affiliated with the university, you have excellent access to all of the current research and practice papers that have been published through the use of electronic data systems managed by the university library. More importantly, I participate in national and international professional organizations where I am able to present research and collaborate with my professional colleagues to discuss emerging issues critical to the future improvement of management and educational issues related to safety, security, emergency preparedness and health education.

What is the most significant issue facing your profession today?
In the field of safety management, professionals with a master’s degree must also have knowledge of environmental compliance, human resource management, and most critical emergency and crisis management. The challenge for a professional lies in obtaining the appropriate academic background for the challenges he or she will face in their new professional role. They need to be competent in OSHA safety regulations, and safety management and safety climate practices, but also hold the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills needed to be successful. In recent years, safety research and professional safety organizations have called for a change in direction for the preparation of a safety manager. These researchers and professional groups have found a strong background in management, emergency preparedness, behavioral science an education to be critical. Graduates also need excellent skills in written and oral communications, and have the ability to effectively critique published research in the fields of safety management, health protection education and emergency preparedness.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your career?
Learning about the positive actions my former students have taken to improve health protection and safety in the workplace, community and home is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Observing my former students who are now graduates teaching safety and health education programs in university, corporate and government settings, as well as working to further reduce injuries and improve emergency preparedness, is also very rewarding.