2021 Fellow of ABAI: Richard G. Smith

Richard G. Smith, Emeritus Associate Professor of Behavior Analysis at the University of North Texas (UNT), is recognized for his impact on teaching, administration, and service to the discipline. Dr. Smith received his doctorate from the University of Florida in 1994. During his career, Dr. Smith mentored hundreds of students, helped to create one of the first online programs in behavior analysis, and served as chair of the UNT Behavior Analysis Department for more than a decade. His career at UNT has been recognized though the Hiram J. Friedsam Award for Outstanding Faculty Service from UNT’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service, as well as The President’s Special Recognition Award. In 1999, he worked with Gerald Shook to administer the first behavior analysis testing and certification in Texas. He was awarded the 2019 Michael Hemingway Award from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board as well as the 2014 Career Contributions to Behavior Analysis in Texas Award from the Texas Association for Behavior Analysis (TxABA) for his enduring support of behavior analysis. Dr. Smith served on the board of SEAB, was associate editor of JABA, and served TxABA as both a long-term board member and as president. He has been one of the most sought-after discussants at conferences because he takes the same amount of time and energy to discuss the work of others as he does to create and supervise research in his own laboratory. Dr. Smith has obtained over $5 million in grants and contracts to support his and his students’ research and to provide greatly needed services and supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities throughout the North Texas region.