 Smith has been called upon during the 2019-2020 COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic to contribute to international media, including television news channels, BBC Radio 4's PM programme, Jeremy Vine's programme on BBC Radio 2 and he co-hosts the "Commonsense coronavirus call-in" on Saturday afternoons with Colin Murray on BBC Radio 5 live, explaining the spread of the pandemic, answering listener questions and reacting to scientific and medical developments.His work on the Naked Scientists also won Chris the Biosciences Federation Prize for Science Communication, 2006, the JOSH Award 2007, the Society for General Microbiology's Peter Wildy Prize 2008, the Royal Society Kohn Award for 2008, the Best Radio Show Award at the Population Institute's 29th Global Media Awards, 2008, the European Podcast Award for UK Non-Profit podcast, the inaugural Royal College of Pathologists Furness Prize for Science Communication, 2010 and the Society of Biology's Science Communication Prize, 2012.In 2016 Smith received and honorary doctorate (DSc) from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) in recognition to his contributions to broadcasting and public understanding of science