Article
Tunåker C, Matthews P & Shelton J (2025) Researching LGBTQ+ homelessness and building social justice in the UK & the US: methods, ethics, recruitment. Housing Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2025.2467825
Professor Peter Matthews
Professor
Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology R.G. Bomont Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
About me
Peter Matthews (he/him) is Professor in Social Policy and LGBTQ+ Studies.
Throughout my research career I have had a particular interest in urban policy; urban regeneration; urban inequalities; housing; equalities and diversity; queer theory and lesbian and gay studies. My first degree was in History, and I have been involved in a number of interdisciplinary research projects, and find working at disciplinary interfaces productive and rewarding.
I welcome queries from prospective doctoral researchers in the areas of: LGBTQ+ Studies; urban policy; and urban inequalities.
My research interests mainly focus on inequalities in the urban context and how policy can tackle or exacerbate these. I am interested in socio-economic and class inequalities, as well as inequalities due to sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity or disability. I have pioneered research in understanding of the inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people in Social Policy. I am currently leading a major project to understand the experience of LGBTQ+ people in accessing welfare benefits in Great Britain. I am a Co-Investigator on the NIHR Evidence Centre, NESSIE; a Co-Investigator in the Stirling Social Sciences Impact Accelerator Account; and a collaborator of the Canadian project 2slgbtq+ Poverty in Canada.
In terms of methodologies, in my research I have coproduced research with service users, and I have explored the impacts this has on knowledge production. I have also worked closely with social scientists with quantitative and statistical skills and knowledge, to further research in my key research areas.
Other Academic Activities
Editor - Local Government Studies
Associate
University of Glasgow
https://www.ubdc.ac.uk/…/peter-matthews/
Chair of Editorial Board, Social Policy & Society
Research projects (2)
NESSIE - NIHR Evidence Synthesis Scotland Initiative
PI: Professor Emma France
Funded by: National Institute for Health Research
–
Welfare access, assets and debts of LGBT+ people in the UK
PI: Professor Peter Matthews
Funded by: The Nuffield Foundation
–
Outputs (62)
Project Report
LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - Technical Appendix
Matthews P, Lambert P, Barnett C & Mann S (2024) LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - Technical Appendix.
Project Report
LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - Main Public Output
Matthews P, Barnett C, Formby E, Gregory L, Lambert P & Mann S (2024) LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - Main Public Output. Nuffield Foundation. https://lgbtqwelfare.stir.ac.uk/
Book Chapter
"Stay home": queer(y)-ing the heteronormative assumptions of COVID policy responses
Matthews P & Edmiston D (2024) "Stay home": queer(y)-ing the heteronormative assumptions of COVID policy responses. In: Research Handbook on Public Management and COVID-19. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 300-311. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781802205954.00033
Manual / Guide
Trans, non-binary and queer people accessing welfare benefits - A Guide for Claimants
Matthews P (2024) Trans, non-binary and queer people accessing welfare benefits - A Guide for Claimants.
Policy Document
LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - A policy summary
Matthews P (2024) LGBT+ Welfare and Assets in Great Britain - A policy summary. https://lgbtqwelfare.stir.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LGBT-welfare-and-assets-briefing.pdf
Policy Document
LGBT+ people, welfare, poverty and housing - A guide to completing Equality Impact Assessments
Matthews P (2024) LGBT+ people, welfare, poverty and housing - A guide to completing Equality Impact Assessments. University of Stirling. Stirling.
Article
Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals Asset-based Welfare and Housing in Great Britain
Matthews P, Barnett C, Lambert P, Gregory L & Formby E (2024) Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals Asset-based Welfare and Housing in Great Britain. Social Policy and Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746424000186
Article
LGBTQ+ people, asset-based welfare and housing in the UK
Matthews P, Barnett C, Lambert P, Gregory L & Formby E (2024) LGBTQ+ people, asset-based welfare and housing in the UK. Social Policy and Society.
Article
Matthews P, Hastings A & Wang Y (2023) Understanding COVID-lockdowns through urban management systems: a novel application of administrative data. Urban, Planning and Transport Research, 11 (1), Art. No.: 2203217. https://doi.org/10.1080/21650020.2023.2203217
Book Chapter
McCall V, Rolfe S, Matthews P, Wallace A, Manyika G, Iafrati S, Clark C & Munro M (2022) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on UK housing policy: how do we rebuild the foundations of the ‘wobbly pillar’?. In: Jolly A, Cefalo R & Pomati M (eds.) Social Policy Review 34: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2022. Social Policy Review, 24. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 71-93. https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447365815.ch004
Article
Queer utopias of housing and homelessness
Carr H, Cooper A, England E, Matthews P, Taylor G & Tunåker C (2022) Queer utopias of housing and homelessness. Housing Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2022.2146067
Article
Matthews P, Parsons A, Nyanzu E & Rae A (2022) Dog fouling and potholes: understanding the role of coproducing ‘citizen sensors’ in local governance. Local Government Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930.2022.2116575
Article
Social Policy and Queer Lives: Coming Out of the Closet?
Gregory L & Matthews P (2022) Social Policy and Queer Lives: Coming Out of the Closet?. Journal of Social Policy, 51 (3), pp. 596-610. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0047279422000198
Article
Translating research for policy: the importance of equivalence, function, and loyalty
Connelly S, Vanderhoven D, Rutherfoord R, Richardson L & Matthews P (2021) Translating research for policy: the importance of equivalence, function, and loyalty. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 8, Art. No.: 191. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00873-z
Article
Unequal and gendered: Assessing the impacts of austerity cuts on public service users
Hastings A, Matthews P & Wang Y (2021) Unequal and gendered: Assessing the impacts of austerity cuts on public service users. Social Policy and Society. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1474746421000543
Website Content
Robson E (2021) Social Value Toolkit. [Website] 09.06.2021. https://socialvalue.stir.ac.uk/
Book Chapter
Representation: Public Servants in Public
Matthews P (2020) Representation: Public Servants in Public. In: Sullivan H, Dickinson H & Henderson H (eds.) Palgrave Handbook of the Public Servant. Cham, Switzerlnd: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03008-7_111-1
Article
Achieving equality in progressive contexts: queer(y)ing public administration
Matthews P & Poyner C (2020) Achieving equality in progressive contexts: queer(y)ing public administration. Public Administration Quarterly, 44 (4), pp. 545-577. https://paq.spaef.org/article/1957/Achieving-Equality-in-Progressive-Contexts-Queer-Y-Ing-Public-Administration
Article
Debate: LGBTQ rights in public services-a battle won?
Matthews P (2020) Debate: LGBTQ rights in public services-a battle won?. Public Money and Management, 40 (6), pp. 423-425. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2019.1676546
Article
Matthews P, Poyner C & Kjellgren R (2019) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer experiences of homelessness and identity: insecurity and home(o)normativity. International Journal of Housing Policy, 19 (2), pp. 232-253. https://doi.org/10.1080/19491247.2018.1519341
Book Chapter
Connecting Epistemologies and the Early Career Researcher
Graham H, Hill K, Matthews P, O'Brien D & Taylor M (2019) Connecting Epistemologies and the Early Career Researcher. In: Fenby-Hulse K, Heywood E & Walker K (eds.) Research Impact and the Early Career Researcher. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 106-126. https://www.routledge.com/Research-Impact-and-the-Early-Career-Researcher-Lived-Experiences-New/Fenby-Hulse-Heywood-Walker/p/book/9781138562073
Article
Matthews P & Poyner C (2019) The experience of living in deprived neighbourhoods for LGBT+ people: making home in difficult circumstances. Environment and Planning A, 51 (7), pp. 1499-1515. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X19852635
Project Report
FixMyStreet! The geography of citizen reporting on neighbourhood issues in the UK
Matthews P, Rae A, Nyanzu E & Parsons A (2018) FixMyStreet! The geography of citizen reporting on neighbourhood issues in the UK. Consumer Data Research Centre.
Article
Everyday stories of impact: interpreting knowledge exchange in the contemporary university
Matthews P, Rutherfoord R, Connelly S, Richardson L, Durose C & Vanderhoven D (2018) Everyday stories of impact: interpreting knowledge exchange in the contemporary university. Evidence and Policy, 14 (4), pp. 665-682. https://doi.org/10.1332/174426417X14982110094140
Research Report
The housing experiences of disabled people in Britain
Satsangi M, Theakstone D, Matthews P, Lawrence J, Rummery K, Mackintosh S, Baghirathan S & Boniface G (2018) The housing experiences of disabled people in Britain. Equality and Human Rights Commission Research Report Series. Equality and Human Rights Commission. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/publication-download/housing-experiences-disabled-people-britain
Book Chapter
Liminal Spaces and Theorising the Permanence of Transience
Matthews P & Livingstone N (2017) Liminal Spaces and Theorising the Permanence of Transience. In: Henneberrry J (ed.) Transience and Permanence in Urban Development. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 31-45. http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1119055652,subjectCd-AR82.html; https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119055662.ch3
Policy Document
Your tenants are gay, get over it!
Matthews P & Poyner C (2017) Your tenants are gay, get over it! [Social housing and LGBT+ people – a guide for social landlords]. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/
Policy Document
Homelessness support for LGBT+ people
Matthews P & Poyner C (2017) Homelessness support for LGBT+ people. University of Stirling. Stirling. https://www.stir.ac.uk/research/public-policy-hub/policy-briefings/
Book Chapter
Translation Across Borders: Connecting the academic and policy communities
Connelly S, Vanderhoven D, Durose C, Matthews P, Richardson L & Rutherfoord R (2017) Translation Across Borders: Connecting the academic and policy communities. In: Facer K & Pahl K (eds.) Valuing interdisciplinary collaborative research: Beyond impact. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 173-190. https://policypress.co.uk/valuing-interdisciplinary-collaborative-research; https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1t895tj.15
Edited Book
Decentring Urban Governance: Narratives, Resistance and Contestation
Bevir M, McKee K & Matthews P (eds.) (2017) Decentring Urban Governance: Narratives, Resistance and Contestation. Routledge Studies in Governance and Public Policy. New York and London: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Decentring-Urban-Governance-Narratives-Resistance-and-Contestation/Bevir-McKee-Matthews/p/book/9781138229372
Book Chapter
Racism, intergenerational tensions and community governance in the neighbourhood
Matthews P & Astbury J (2017) Racism, intergenerational tensions and community governance in the neighbourhood. In: Bevir M, McKee K & Matthews P (eds.) Decentring Urban Governance: Narratives, Resistance and Contestation. London: Routledge.
Book Chapter
Evaluating legacy: the who, what, why, when and where of evaluation for community research
Matthews P, Astbury J, Brown J, Brown L, Connelly S & O'Brien D (2017) Evaluating legacy: the who, what, why, when and where of evaluation for community research. In: Facer K & Pahl K (eds.) Valuing interdisciplinary collaborative research: Beyond impact. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 43-62. https://policypress.co.uk/valuing-interdisciplinary-collaborative-research
Book Chapter
Connelly S, Vanderhoven D, Durose C, Richardson L, Matthews P & Rutherfoord R (2016) Translation across borders: exploring the use, relevance and impact of academic research in the policy process. In: O'Brien D & Matthews P (eds.) After Urban Regeneration: Communities, Policy and Place. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 181-198. https://policypress.co.uk/after-urban-regeneration#book-detail-tabs-stison-block-content-1-0-tab2; https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781447324157.003.0012
Article
Social media, community development and social capital
Matthews P (2016) Social media, community development and social capital. Community Development Journal, 51 (3), pp. 419-435. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsv040
Policy Document
Preventative spend: Public Services and Governance
Cairney P, St Denny E & Matthews P (2016) Preventative spend: Public Services and Governance. Policy Briefing, 1. University of Stirling.
Edited Book
After Urban Regeneration: Communities, Policy and Place
O'Brien D & Matthews P (eds.) (2015) After Urban Regeneration: Communities, Policy and Place. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press. http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?k=9781447324164
Article
Matthews P, Bramley G & Hastings A (2015) Homo Economicus in a Big Society: Understanding Middle-class Activism and NIMBYism towards New Housing Developments. Housing, Theory and Society, 32 (1), pp. 54-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2014.947173
Article
Neighbourhood Belonging, Social Class and Social Media—Providing Ladders to the Cloud
Matthews P (2015) Neighbourhood Belonging, Social Class and Social Media—Providing Ladders to the Cloud. Housing Studies, 30 (1), pp. 22-39. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2014.953448
Article
The “Pink Pound” in the “Gaybourhood”? Neighbourhood Deprivation and Sexual Orientation in Scotland
Matthews P & Besemer K (2015) The “Pink Pound” in the “Gaybourhood”? Neighbourhood Deprivation and Sexual Orientation in Scotland. Housing, Theory and Society, 32 (1), pp. 94-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2014.991809
Book Chapter
Matthews P & O'Brien D (2015) Introduction. In: O'Brien D & Matthews P (eds.) After Urban Regeneration: Communities, policy and place. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 1-6. http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?k=9781447324164
Book Chapter
Connecting community to a post-regeneration era
Matthews P & O'Brien D (2015) Connecting community to a post-regeneration era. In: O'Brien D & Matthews P (eds.) After Urban Regeneration: Communities, policy and place. Connected Communities. Bristol: Policy Press, pp. 27-44. http://www.policypress.co.uk/display.asp?k=9781447324164
Article
Social networks, social capital and poverty: panacea or placebo?
Matthews P & Besemer K (2015) Social networks, social capital and poverty: panacea or placebo?. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 23 (3), pp. 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1332/175982715X14448122286274
Article
Bourdieu and the Big Society: empowering the powerful in public service provision?
Hastings A & Matthews P (2015) Bourdieu and the Big Society: empowering the powerful in public service provision?. Policy and Politics, 43 (4), pp. 545-560. https://doi.org/10.1332/030557314X14080105693951
Research Report
Matthews P, Astbury J, Connelly S, Brown L, O'Brien D, Brown J & Wester H (2015) Doing and evaluating community research - A process and outcomes approach for communities and researchers. Arts and Humanities Research Council. University of Stirling.
Other
Electronic copy of Digital Sentinel hard copy newspaper, June 2015
Wester H & Matthews P (2015) Electronic copy of Digital Sentinel hard copy newspaper, June 2015. [Newspaper/pdf] 05.2015.
Preprint / Working Paper
Engaging Wester Hailes - Findings from the Valuing Different Perspectives Community Evaluation
Astbury J & Matthews P (2015) Engaging Wester Hailes - Findings from the Valuing Different Perspectives Community Evaluation.
Preprint / Working Paper
Matthews P, Brown L, Brown J, Connelly S, O'Brien D & Astbury J (2015) Valuing Academic Perspectives.
Book Review
Shaping places: urban planning, design and development
Matthews P (2014) Shaping places: urban planning, design and development. Review of: Shaping Places: Urban Planning, Design and Development, David Adams & Steve Tiesdell, London, Routledge, 2012, 368 pp., ISBN 9780415497978. Housing Studies, 29 (1), pp. 168-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2012.752633
Article
Being Strategic in Partnership - Interpreting Local Knowledge of Modern Local Government
Matthews P (2014) Being Strategic in Partnership - Interpreting Local Knowledge of Modern Local Government. Local Government Studies, 40 (3), pp. 451-472. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930.2013.859141
Research Report
Poverty and social networks evidence review
Matthews P & Besemer K (2014) Poverty and social networks evidence review. Joseph Rowntree Foundation. University of Stirling.
Article
The longue durée of community engagement: New applications of critical theory in planning research
Matthews P (2013) The longue durée of community engagement: New applications of critical theory in planning research. Planning Theory, 12 (2), pp. 139-157. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473095212455212
Article
The return of place in Scottish social policy
Matthews P (2013) The return of place in Scottish social policy. Local Economy, 28 (1), pp. 9-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269094212463786
Article
Matthews P & Hastings A (2013) Middle-Class Political Activism and Middle-Class Advantage in Relation to Public Services: A Realist Synthesis of the Evidence Base. Social Policy and Administration, 47 (1), pp. 72-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9515.2012.00866.x
Article
From area-based initiatives to strategic partnerships: Have we lost the meaning of regeneration?
Matthews P (2012) From area-based initiatives to strategic partnerships: Have we lost the meaning of regeneration?. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 30 (1), pp. 147-161. https://doi.org/10.1068/c1161
Other
3D Model of Digital Totem Pole in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh
Maxwell M & Matthews P (2012) 3D Model of Digital Totem Pole in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. [Digital Totem Pole] 2012.
Article
Problem definition and re-evaluating a policy: The real successes of a regeneration scheme
Matthews P (2012) Problem definition and re-evaluating a policy: The real successes of a regeneration scheme. Critical Policy Studies, 6 (3), pp. 243-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/19460171.2012.699233
Research Report
'Hard-to-Reach' or ‘Easy-to-Ignore’? A rapid review of place-based policies and equality
Matthews P, Netto G & Besemer K (2012) 'Hard-to-Reach' or ‘Easy-to-Ignore’? A rapid review of place-based policies and equality. University of Stirling.
Research Report
"Sharp Elbows": Do the Middle-Classes have Advantages in Public Service Provision and if so how?
Hastings A & Matthews P (2011) "Sharp Elbows": Do the Middle-Classes have Advantages in Public Service Provision and if so how?. University of Glasgow. http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/57021
Research Report
Hastings A & Matthews P (2011) Connectivity and Conflict in Periods of Austerity: What do we Know about Middle Class Political Activism and its Effects on Public Services?. Arts and Humanities Research Council. Connected Communities.
Article
Mind the gap? The persistence of pathological discourses in Urban regeneration policy
Matthews P (2010) Mind the gap? The persistence of pathological discourses in Urban regeneration policy. Housing, Theory and Society, 27 (3), pp. 221-240. http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?partnerID=yv4JPVwI&eid=2-s2.0-77955145924&md5=21895d3fa331248bb0536700362982cd; https://doi.org/10.1080/14036090903326452
Article
Matthews P & Satsangi M (2007) Planners, Developers and Power: A critical discourse analysis of the redevelopment of Leith Docks, Scotland. Planning Practice and Research, 22 (4), pp. 495-511. https://doi.org/10.1080/02697450701770043