Steve Matthews

Steve Matthews is a Senior Research Fellow at the Plunkett Centre for Ethics, Australian Catholic University (ACU). His research focuses on the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and psychiatry, particularly in moral psychology, medical ethics, and ethics surrounding mental illness, addiction, and dementia. He holds a BA Hons and PhD in Philosophy from Monash University. His work has been supported by ARC grants and includes over 50 peer-reviewed articles, edited journal special issues, and conference organization.

Matthews' academic contributions span teaching in metaphysics, epistemology, and applied ethics. He actively participates in research ethics leadership, serving on ACU's Human Research Ethics Committee. His recent grants include projects on dementia and moral agency (ARC DP 180103262), addiction studies (Laudel Foundation), and virtue ethics integration (ACU Internal Research Program).

Research interests emphasize ethical challenges in dementia care, including selfhood preservation, truthfulness in patient interactions, and the moral implications of neurodegenerative diseases. He also explores addiction through lenses of autonomy, stigma, and treatment ethics. His collaborative work often bridges philosophical theory with empirical findings in psychology and healthcare.

Matthews has organized conferences on ethical issues in medicine and technology, and his editorial roles include guest-editing special issues on topics like 'Responsibility and Mental Impairment' and 'The Biology of Desire' in addiction. His interdisciplinary approach addresses contemporary dilemmas in healthcare ethics, mental health, and the philosophy of mind.