Kris Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Kristin Smith (Kris) is passionate about working on the ground with communities and conducting research to inform policy. From her doctoral research to her nonprofit experience, Kris’ work addresses the root causes of challenges faced by rural communities. Kris is known at Headwaters Economics for her skills in partnership building, her drive to understand issues deeply, and her enthusiasm for sharing knowledge.

As part of Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance team, Kris works with local government staff and elected officials, state and federal agency personnel, engineers, and other technical experts to help communities reduce flood risk. Community partners look to Kris for help navigating technical hurdles, connecting people, and promoting solutions that balance community goals.

Kris has also made significant research contributions on the topic of energy development. Her work on the social impacts of energy development has been quoted in publications in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Texas and published in the Journal of Rural and Community Development, Energy Research & Social Science, and other peer-reviewed journals.

Kris serves as a technical contributor to the Northern Great Plains Chapter of the National Climate Assessment and is a review panelist for the USDA AFRI Rural and Economic Development program and the NOAA Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program. She regularly presents her work on topics related to rural opportunities and challenges, equity and funding, and the fiscal dimensions of climate adaptation and the energy transition.

Kris grew up in a small town in southeastern Missouri and is committed to conducting and translating research into practical strategies to help rural communities thrive. Her academic degrees in community development, applied economics, and geography have provided a foundation for her work on many aspects of rural development. From strengthening agriculture and food systems to leveraging revenue from energy development to creating resilience in the face of climate-driven hazards, the common thread is Kris’ steadfast commitment to helping communities build on their strengths for long-term success.

Contributions by Kris Smith, Ph.D.

Latest

Sep 2026
Field note

Miles City site visit

Our FloodWise program staff were recently in Miles City, MT to present an Operations and Financial Snapshot to the City Council as they seek new funding strategies for projects that…

Authored · Jul 2026

Local funding options for disaster resilience

Projects that prepare communities to resist wildfire and flooding can save money in the long run, but they can be hard to finance upfront. Headwaters Economics has created two guides to help local leaders identify sustained funding strategies for resilience projects.

New York Moves Forward With a Brooklyn Flood Protection Plan That Falls Short of Other City Projects icijnews.com · Mar 2026
New York Moves Forward With a Brooklyn Flood Protection Plan That Falls Short of Other City Projects ProPublica · Nov 2025
Mapping Rural Local Government Capacity for Climate Resilience Projects in the United States Public Adminstration Review · Aug 2025