Tomas A. Matza

Tomas A. Matza is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (2010). His research spans sociocultural, environmental, and medical anthropology, focusing on mental health, political economy, and global health. Key projects include studies on post-Soviet Russia's psychotherapy boom, El Salvador's child welfare initiatives, and Indigenous stewardship in Hawai‘i. He co-leads environmental justice initiatives in Pennsylvania and Maryland, emphasizing transdisciplinary collaboration. Matza teaches courses on environmental justice, the Anthropocene, and global health, blending theoretical rigor with practical engagement. His work critiques neoliberal interventions and explores ethical research partnerships. He advises students interested in multidisciplinary approaches to pressing societal issues.

• Education: Ph.D., Stanford University, 2010
• Research: Russia’s post-socialist psychotherapy culture, El Salvador’s child welfare metrics, and Hawaiian biocultural conservation.

His recent publications address the intersections of emotion, diplomacy, and Cold War dynamics, as well as evidence-based global health interventions. Matza is active in academic advocacy, serving on the Pitt Faculty Union’s Communication Action Team to improve faculty working conditions.