Michael S. Matthews

Dr. Michael S. Matthews is a Professor and Interim Department Chair in the Department of Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). He also serves as Director of the Academically/Intellectually Gifted M.Ed. Program. His primary roles include teaching, research, and leadership in gifted education policy, program development, and equity initiatives. He is co-editor of the Gifted Child Quarterly and a board member of the National Association for Gifted Children.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Gifted & Creative Education), University of Georgia (2002)
• M.A. in Anthropology (Archaeology), University of Wisconsin (1991)
• B.A. in Chemistry, magna cum laude, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (1989)

Research focuses on:

• Gifted education policy and equity
• Assessment and identification of advanced learners
• Parental influence on gifted children
• Underachievement prevention
• Science education for gifted learners
• Homeschooling dynamics

Publications highlight methodological rigor, transparency in research, and addressing disparities in gifted program access. He advocates for open science practices and has led initiatives to improve identification rates for underrepresented groups. His work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing real-world applications for diverse learners.

Awards include the NAGC Early Scholar Award (2014), AERA Pyryt Collaboration Award (2017), and the Texas AGT Legacy Book Award (2019). He has advised numerous graduate students and contributed to national education reforms through board memberships and advisory roles.