Rose-Ann Smith obtained her PhD in Human Geography from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus Jamaica in 2015. Her dissertation focused on rural livelihoods and vulnerability to global change among three remote communities in Northeastern St.Vincent. The main ethnic group within these communities, which was also a key focus of the dissertation is the indigenous Yellow and Black Caribs. The Black Caribs referred to themselves as Garifuna/Garinagu, which are also the political names used on the international and regional platform. Her dissertation assessed the vulnerability of these Carib communities to global changes, particularly climate change and climatic variability and economic globalization, their coping and adaptation strategies and the opportunities for resilience building.

Rose-Ann has been awarded several scholarships and grants for research and conference attendance. The Scholarships obtained are the University of the West Indies (UWI) Graduate Scholarship, Department of Geography and Geology, UWI, Mona campus Departmental Award and the Organisation of American States (OAS) Graduate Scholarship.

Dr. Smith is passionate about community development with strong focus on resilience building, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and sustainable livelihood. Other areas of interest are cultural and eco tourism and environmental management. She is also interested in working with indigenous populations and other vulnerable groups.