Our faculty

MATHEW, Mathews

MATHEW, Mathews

MATHEW, Mathews

Principal Research Fellow
Head, Social Lab

Dr Mathew Mathews is Head of IPS Social Lab, and Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), National University of Singapore. He also leads the IPS Programme on Race, Religion and Intergroup Cohesion.

Mathews has extensive experience in public sentiment and social research, particularly in designing and leading large-scale national surveys, mixed-method studies and policy evaluations. He had led more than 80 research projects examining a broad range of policy issues with over $30 million in funding.   A sizeable portion of his research examines social cohesion, family, poverty and work. 

Besides his research work, Mathews teaches courses on social policy, often speaks at forums and serves on boards and committees in various public and non-profit organisations.

Research Interests

Race; religion and immigrant relations; social policies on family; ageing and poverty; social service provision

Publications

Op-eds/Commentaries

Conference Participation and Presentations/Speeches

  • Presenter, "Uncovering parents' mindsets: Schools, Stress and Support", at IPS Forum on Parents and Schooling, Singapore, 31 August 2017.
  • Invited Keynote Speaker, “Overview of Singapore families”, at Social Service Partners Conference 2015 on Supporting Families Together, Singapore, 22 May 2015.
  • Opening Presentation, “Insights from IPS survey of race, religion, and language”, at Singapore Perspectives 2014 on Differences, Singapore, 2 January 2014.
  • Presenter, “Challenges and coping of single Indians mothers — Findings from Project Athena”, at Eleventh Family Research Network (FRN) Forum on Home Alone — Life After Divorce in Singapore, Singapore, 28 April 2014.
  • Presenter, ”Indicators of racial and religious harmony”, at the Institute of Policy Studies-OnePeople.sg Forum on Indicators of Racial and Religious Harmony, Singapore, 11 September 2013.
  • Presenter, “Integration in the Singapore heartlands”, at the Institute of Policy Studies Conference on Integration, Singapore, 21 May 2012.
  • Presenter, “Submission brings power: A review of female subordination within conservative Christianity in Asia”, at the Conference on Religious Activism & Women’s Development in Southeast Asia: Highlighting Impediments, Exploring Opportunities organised by Centre for Research on Islamic and Malay Affairs, Singapore, 20–21 November 2009.
  • Presenter, “Saving the lost at what cost? Contemporary Christian evangelism in Singapore”, at the Asia Trends Conference organised by Asia Research Institute, Singapore, 20 May 2009.
  • Presenter, “Psychotherapy, biblical counselling and deliverance: Transformation in soul care in Singapore”, at the annual meeting of the Religious Research Association, Louisville, Kentucky, 17–19 October 2008.
  • Presenter, “Accommodating church and state in Singapore”, at the annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, Louisville, Kentucky, 17–19 October 2008.
  • Presenter, “Who is the most concerned about homophily as a referral criteria: The case of Singaporean clergymen”, at the American Sociological Association Conference, New York, 10–14 August 2007.
  • Presenter, “Managing the sinful label: Gay Christianity in Singapore”, at the symposium Sacred in a Global City organised by the Asia Research Institute, Singapore, 17 March 2007.
  • Presenter, “Perception of professional competence among counselling professionals in Singapore”, at the plenary session on Counselling & Psychotherapy: Evolving trends and challenges, Singapore, 28–29 October 2006.
  • Presenter, “Minorities in a majority setting: The case of minority clergymen in Singapore and West Malaysia”, at the Economy and Society organised by the University of Nottingham, Nottingham, 12 September 2001.

Courses taught

  • Social Policy and Planning, Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore.
  • Social Psychology, Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore.
  • Research Methods, Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore.
  • Making Sense of Society, Department of Sociology, National University of Singapore.

Awards

  • MSF Outstanding Volunteer Award,  Ministry of Social and Family Development, 2019
  • Friend of MSF Award (2016). Awarded by Ministry of Social and Family Development

Committees/Directorships

  • Board of Directors, National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre
  • Council Member, Families for Life
  • Panel Member, LTA Family Friendly Advisory Panel
  • National Education Review Committee, Ministry of Education
  • Research Advisor, Ministry of Social and Family Development
  • Member, VWOs-Charities Capability Fund Panel, National Council of Social Services
  • Advisory Panel, Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing
  • Board Member, and Chairperson, Resource and Public Education Committee, OnePeople.sg
  • President, Alive Community Network
  • Advisory Board, Journal of Intercultural Studies