Professor Dr. Ralph Matthews

Biography

Ralph Matthews is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology. His primary research interests focus on the relationship between social change and economic development at the community regional level, exploring how public policy influences this relationship. Over the years, he has published five books and nearly 100 research papers on various topics, including the social aspects of infertility, climate change adaptation, and community resilience. His projects, like the Resilient Communities Project and the Coastal Communities Project, assess the role of social capital in community economic development. Matthews is also interested in sociology of health and sustainable resource development. His extensive work has included examining social constructions of knowledge related to aquaculture and risks associated with environmental issues. Matthews holds degrees from the University of Minnesota and Memorial University, and has affiliations with various research institutions. His work has contributed significantly to the understanding of social determinants of health and community well-being.

Research Interests

Experience