Cobi researches how science communication relates to theories of deliberative democracy, participatory evaluation and participatory governance. She has led or facilitated deliberative processes about science and technology policy for universities, government departments and non-governmental organizations. She is currently experimenting with using participatory evaluation processes in science communication.

Cobi worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation while completing degrees in journalism and international studies. After working as a newsreader she headed abroad to join a team of young international journalists producing a documentary about a congress supported by the Scottish Government. She returned home to work for the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics before moving to Cambridge, UK, where she worked on science media projects ranging from podcasts to books. In the UK she freelanced for organisations ranging from the University of Cambridge to the Science and Development Network. Cobi is interested in science and technology supporting sustainable development and environmental security.

She was living in South America when a position at the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus) lured her home again. She is employed by RiAus with government support to strengthen communities and networks, facilitate Inspiring Australia activities and evaluate science communication programs.

Publications

Smith, C (2010) Deliberative Democracy in S. Hornig Priest (ed.), Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Communication (p209-211). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Hirschfeld, D (2010) One in every four OLPC laptops in Uruguay is not working, translated by Smith, C, Science and Development Network, 11 August

Portillo, Z (2010) Peru reduces arsenic contamination using solar energy, translated by Smith, C, Science and Development Network, 3 August

Portillo, Z (2010) Antibiotics in the environment foster child resistance, translated by Smith, C, Science and Development Network, 14 June

Leighton, P (2010) Internet and mobile phone harnessed for Chilean farmers, translated by Smith, C, Science and Development Network, 4 June

Smith, C and Firth, L (eds.) (2008) Sustainability and Environment, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C and Firth, L (eds.)(2008) Climate Change, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C and Firth, L (eds.) (2008) Migration and Population, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C (2007) Suriname has 'already hit' malaria MDG, Science and Development Network, 20 September

Smith, C (2007) Antimalarials 'give children an edge' at school, Science and Development Network, 18 September

Smith, C and Crewdson, S (eds.) (2007) Smoking Trends, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C and Crewdson, S (eds.) (2007) Media Issues, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C and Crewdson, S (eds.) (2007) Mental Health, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Firth, L  and Smith, C (eds.) (2007) The Cloning Debate, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Firth, L  and Smith, C (eds.) (2007) Problem Drinking, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Firth, L  and Smith, C (eds.) (2007) Vegetarian and Vegan Diets, Cambridge: Independence Educational Publishers

Smith, C and Adelaja, A (2007) Scholars call for communications cable access, Science and Development Network, 24 May