Tania Smith photo

Dr. Tania Smith

PhD
Pronouns: she, her

Positions

Associate Professor

Faculty of Arts, Department of Communication, Media and Film

Contact information

Email

smit@ucalgary.ca

Phone number

Office (and voice mail): 403.220.7774

Location

Office: SS302

For media enquiries, contact

mediarequests@ucalgary.ca

Preferred method of communication

Email preferred

Background

Educational Background

PhD English (Rhetoric & Composition), Ohio State University, 2002

MA English, University of Alberta, 1995

BA Honours English, University of Alberta, 1994

Research

Participation in university strategic initiatives

Infections, inflammation and chronic diseases

Projects

The rhetoric of thyroid science

This research project examines the rhetorical strategies involved in thyroid science and its application to medical practice.

By examining thyroid science and thyroid medical discourse as communication, one can understand the history and pitfalls of reasoning and argumentation in this field. It may help us to move forward more productively in areas of thyroid controversy, and areas in which healthy debate is absent because dogma overrules critical thinking and inquiry. Such areas include:

  • the algorithms for thyroid laboratory testing that are often used to cancel tests deemed "unnecessary,"
  • the dominant role of TSH hormone and its reference interval in diagnosis and treatment,
  • the diagnosis and treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism, especially in the elderly,
  • the effectiveness and individualization of thyroid therapies, especially hypothyroid treatment, 
  • the reincorporation of T3 hormone in the treatment of hypothyroidism, and  
  • the understanding and treatment of "nonthyroidal illness syndrome" (NTIS), the illness-induced dysregulation of thyroid hormone metabolism, which is associated with mortality in many acute conditions and chronic diseases. 

In some of these areas, beliefs and practices have become rigidly held as truisms. When these beliefs are threatened, staunch defenders arise and policy change becomes difficult. To untangle some of these webs, one must understand both the science and the strategies of rhetoric as they developed over many decades, as writers shaped beliefs, policies, and attitudes in these areas of controversy. 

Publications

Google Scholar - Tania S. Smith