Mathews is a cultural and design anthropologist specializing in research and social design at the intersection of urban, environmental, and infrastructure justice. He is also a courtesy faculty member at the University of South Florida, where he earned his Ph.D. in applied anthropology. Through his affiliation USF, he advances work on the convergence of design and anthropology, with a strong emphasis on mentorship. 

He is the winner of the 2023 Wesley W. Horner Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.