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MATHEW, Mathews

MATHEW, Mathews

MATHEW, Mathews

Principal Research Fellow
Head, Social Lab

Dr Mathew Mathews is Head of IPS Social Lab, a centre for social indicator research and a Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. To date, Mathews has been involved in over fifty research projects, most of them addressing social policy issues. These have included research using both quantitative and qualitative methods on race, religion, immigrant integration, family, ageing and poverty.

Mathews also studies the impact of social programmes on social issues and has been involved in a number of evaluations on the usefulness of various government initiatives. He has taught courses on social policy and has published in a range of academic and media outlets. 

Mathews currently sits on the boards of OnePeople.sg and National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre. He is a Research Advisor to the Ministry of Social and Family Development and is part of the VWOs-Charities Capability Fund Panel and Families for Life Council. 

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