Background
Smith was born on 1 June 1969.
Smith was born on 1 June 1969.
From 1980 to 1987, she was educated at Merchant Taylors" Girls" School, an all-girls selective independent school based in Great Crosby, Merseyside. After taking a gap year, she studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Brasenose College, Oxford and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Bachelor) degree. She then undertook postgraduate study in politics at Street Antony"s College, Oxford, graduating with a Master of Philosophy (Master of Philosophy) degree and a Doctor of Philosophy (Doctor of Philosophy) degree.
From 2003 to 2015, she was a local councillor on Cambridge City Council. Having been awarded a Hanseatic Scholarship, she undertook further study in Hamburg from 1995 to 1997. Academic career
Smith began her academic career lecturing in the International Relations and European Studies Department of the Central European University, an English-language university in Budapest, Hungary.
In 1997, she joined the University of Cambridge as a lecturer in European politics.
She was later promoted to senior lecturer in International Relations and became a Fellow of Robinson College. From 1999 to 2003, she was additionally the head of the European Programme at Chatham House.
Political career
Smith is a Liberal Democrat politician. From 2003 to May 2015, she was a local councillor representing Newnham on Cambridge City Council.
In August 2014, it was announced that Smith would be made a life peer.
On 12 September, the Queen conferred upon her the title of Baroness Smith of Newnham. She made her maiden speech in the House of Lords on the same day. Involvement In European Union Referendum
As demonstrated by the topic of Smith"s maiden speech, she is firmly convinced of the benefits that the European Union brings to the United Kingdom. She has now taken an active involvement in Cambridge for Europe, a campaign which wants to spread a positive message regarding the United Kingdom"s continued involvement in the European Union. Smith is one of the group"s leading patrons.
She is also a vice-chair of the Liberal Democrats Federal Policy Committee.
Since September 2014, she has been a life peer and a member of the House of Lords.
