Matthew A. Donahue

Matthew A. Donahue is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Popular Culture at Bowling Green State University's School of Cultural & Critical Studies. He is a multidisciplinary academic, artist, and musician with expertise in popular culture, music subcultures, and commercial archaeology.

• Education: Ph.D. in American Culture Studies (BGSU), M.L.I.S. in Library and Information Science (Kent State University), M.A. in American Culture Studies (BGSU), B.A. in Cultural Studies (University of Toledo).

His research focuses on Popular Music and its intersections with Music Subcultures (Punk, Heavy Metal, Reggae, Rap), Ethnomusicology, and Outsider Art (Art Cars, Collage/Mixed Media). Recent projects include the commercial archaeology photography series The Amsterdam Sign and The Tokyo Sign Project, and documentaries on Keith LeBlanc and Skip 'Little Axe' McDonald.

SELECT COURSES TAUGHT: Undergraduate courses on Popular Culture and Media, Popular Music, Rock Music Subcultures, and graduate seminars on Music as Popular Culture. His recent accomplishments include invited lectures at institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and editorial advisory roles for the Metal Music Studies Journal. He also serves as a media consultant for the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Scientific Awards

• Authors and Artists Award Recognition (2003-2024)
• Honor of Attainment Recognition (2019)
• Bowling Green Arts Council Award (2016)
• NOWOH Northwest Ohio Community Art Show Exhibition (2014-2024)
• Editor’s Choice Award (2010)

As a member of the Ohio Humanities Speakers Bureau, he contributes to public scholarship on popular culture. His work spans academic, artistic, and media domains, including collaborations with Tackhead and On-U Sound Records.