His research program focuses on the soft x-ray spectroscopic study of the surface and bulk electronic structure of novel materials. The primary techniques used in his research are soft x-ray emission spectroscopy, resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering, and photoemission spectroscopy. All of his research is undertaken at synchrotron radiation facilities, primarily the National Synchrotron Light Source and the Advanced Light Source. The material systems presently under investigation include correlated and low dimensional solids, thin film organic semiconductors, transparent conducting oxides, and thin film rare-earth nitrides. He has co-authored over 145 publications and has delivered 140 invited talks. Aside from his research accomplishments, Kevin Smith is a prize winning teacher, having been awarded the Boston University Metcalf Cup and Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 1999, and was named the Massachusetts Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2001.