Professor Christopher Matthews FTSE
Indigenous education champion
Professor Christopher (Chris) Matthews has made exceptional contributions to Indigenous education in mathematics, drawing on his applied mathematics background and his lived experiences as a Quandamooka man.
Chris’ internationally renowned approach, the Goompi Model, teaches maths in a way that connects with cultural backgrounds – encouraging creativity and cultural expression alongside learning key mathematical concepts. This strategy has also sparked a renewed interested in maths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Through his role at UTS and several senior advisory appointments, Chris positively influences Indigenous education policy, strategy and national curricula. His transformational impact extends across the STEM sector – for example, as the first Indigenous board member of Science and Technology Australia (STA) – and across Australia through his work in remote Indigenous communities.