Alan L. Smith, Honorary Doctor of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Alan L. Smith is from Rochester, New York, USA. He has earned a BA degree in psychology from the University of Rochester, a MS degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a PhD in exercise and movement science from the University of Oregon. His career within sport and exercise psychology has been at universities as a faculty member and administrator. He is currently the interim President of Utah State University.
“I conduct research in the field of developmental sport psychology, addressing how child and adolescent relationships with peers are tied to sport and physical activity motivation. My research extends to other social agents in sport settings, e.g., parents, siblings, and to specific motivation-related topics such as athlete burnout.
Much work in developmental sport psychology treats young people as passive in their socialization and development, with much focus on how adults like coaches influence young athletes.
“My work shows that young athletes themselves are critical players in the socialization process and that peer relationships matter to their motivation for intensively engaging and persisting in sport. This motivation can shape later physical activity decisions and behavior and thus has implications for health and well-being.
A part of Alan L. Smith’s research program involves collaboration with a range of experts, including those from clinical psychology, cognitive science, human development, and physical education pedagogy.
“Even when my work is relatively narrowly confined with respect to methods, it is informed by various disciplines such as psychology, kinesiology, developmental science, and public health. I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Karlstad University, which is a leading institution in my field of research, highly internationally engaged, and meeting the practical needs of individuals, families, and communities. I am particularly excited to learn of the new National Research Center for Youth Sports at Karlstad University and hope to contribute to the work of the center”
Family brings great joy to Alan L. Smith’s life. He competed in cross-country running and track as a distance athlete through college and still enjoys running in his free time as Utah offers spectacular mountain views.