Richard Matthews

Dr Richard Matthews

Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics

Dr Richard Matthews (BE(Hons) PhD MAICD MIEAust) is a Lecturer at the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences.

Dr Matthews’ research focuses on the field of digital forensics including elements of cyber security, intelligence, and media forensics. In 2020 he was inducted into the Netflix Security Researcher Hall of fame and received a bug bounty from the technology company Snap for his intelligence exploit enabling the extraction and preservation of digital media from Snapchat’s Snap Map. He is the current Technology Chair for DFRWS APAC and is now working on projects to address the prevalence of pseudo-science with media forensics and pattern matching disciplines.

Dr Matthews received his PhD at the University of Adelaide under scholarship. He has served on the University’s Academic board and University Council. He is an active peer reviewer for Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation and IEEE Access. He is a member of the Institute of Engineers Australia, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society.

My research interests are primarily focused in the discipline of the Forensic Sciences. My current focus is towards forensic validation generally, digital and media forensics specifically and the nature of science philosophically.

During my MBA at the Unviersity of Adelaide I was introduced to the concept of ensuring our skills were employed solving the right problems faced within our modern world. Pedophilia, human trafficking and abuse inflicted against children are some of the most abhorrent crimes known to our modern society. The technological revolution that was ushered in with the internet disrupted all industries, including our ability to combat these vile crimes. In my work I continue building towards systems that will automatically detect, filter and disrupt online abuse in all its forms.

My take on this work is unique due to the integration of systems thinking. I ensure my tools are built with the forensic process in mind ensuring that not only is abhorent media eliminated from our networks, but evidence of the crime is preserved leading to successful prosecution. However, breaking a single link is not enough. To completely eradicate the problem of online abuse and human trafficking measures need to be taken to disrupt the system at all possible intervention points. On one hand, my work focuses on the detection, moderation, classification and storage of online abuse material. On another, it studies the methods of analysis, categorisation, linkage and provenance of online abuse and surviellance material. Through the integration of systems thinking these tools create leverge to disrupt at the critical point of dissemination and creation. Such disruption leads to a greater ability in locating those who are victims to these crimes.

I acknowldege that my own work is not enough to solve the issues recognised by the systems level analysis of the problem. Recognising the limitations technology has, through international and interdisciplinary collaborations the human, psychological and criminological elements of these challenges become clear leading to victimcentric reforms, educational programs and cultural changes to eliminate the socioeconomic factors leading to environments which cater to online abuse.

 

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Research Associate University of Adelaide
    2019 - 2019 Tutor University of Adelaide
    2018 - 2019 Sessional Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2018 Tutor and Practical Demonstrator The University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2015 RnD Engineer AZZO Technologies

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2020 Recognition Netflix Security Researcher Hall of Fame Netflix United States -
    2018 Scholarship Simon Rockcliff Defence Science Technology Group Australia AUD 4000
    2007 Honour Australian Defence Medal Royal Australian Air Force Australia -

  • Language Competencies
    Language Competency
    English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    2019 - 2019 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    2019 University of Adelaide Australia Masters of Business Administration
    2014 University of Adelaide Australia BElec(Hons)

  • Certifications
    Date Title Institution name Country
    2019 MIEAust Institute of Engineers Australia -

  • Research Interests
    Computer System Security Image Processing Signal Processing Systems Theory

Total funding: $169,047

2019 total: $56,491

  • $48,000, Industry Funded Postdoctoral Researcher as part of a larger grant, 2019.
  • $8,491, Australian Postgraduate Award, per annum funding until 2019.
  • $2,562, Adelaide MBA Community Achievement Scholarship (50% tuition scholarship per subject).

2018 total: $47,082

  • $27,082, Australian Postgraduate Award, per annum funding until 2019.
  • $15,000, ANZPAA NIFS Grant to conduct research into 3D scanning and forensic digital reconstruction methods, 2018.
  • $4,000, Simon Rockcliff Travel Grant; used to travel to Estonia to present at ICR2018 with Tallinn University of Technology and visits for collaboration to NATO CCDCoE, ENFSI - EKEI and industry partners relating to dark current research, image forensic capabilities and child exploitation, 2018.
  • $1,000, Walter and Dorothy Duncan Trust Travel Grant, 2018.

2017 total: $26,682

  • 26,682 Australian Postgraduate Award, per annum funding until 2019.

2016 total: $26,288

  • $26,288, Australian Postgraduate Award, per annum funding until 2019.

2015 total: $9,942

  • $9,942 Australian Postgraduate Award, per annum funding until 2019.

 

Current Role

I am currently engaged as a Lecturer for Design and Innovation, a second year systems engineering introduction course within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Previous teaching experience:
  • Wrote Engineering Technology and Digital Design for the Bachelor of Technology (Defence)
  • Rewrote Introduction to Programming for Information Technology Specialists
  • Course Co-Ordinator for ENTREP 2051/7051 3D Print Prototyping: Possibilities to Product. 
  • Tutor/practical demonstrator within the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with experience in the following subjects:
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering IB
    • Analogue Systems
    • Digital Systems
    • Digital Electronics
    • Signals and Systems

  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)
    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2020 - 2022 External Supervisor Leadership in Organisational Cyber Security Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Georgia Psaroulis

  • Other Supervision Activities
    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Automated Content Moderation The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Siyu Wang
    2021 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Automated Content Moderation The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Siyu Wang
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Automated Content Moderation The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Sanjana Tanuku
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Forensic Applications of 3D Imaging University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Glen Walsh
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Forensic Applications of 3D Imaging University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Jimmy Tang
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Penetration Testing of the SpaceTalk Tracking Watch The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time de Vries S
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Security Framework for Children’s Safety Watches University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Castignani G
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Security Framework for Children’s Safety Watches The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Shanmuganathan N
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Security Framework for Children’s Safety Watches The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Sharifi N
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Penetration Testing of the SpaceTalk Tracking Watch The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Williams B
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Improving the technical functionality of children’s tracking watches The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Jennings L
    2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Improving the technical functionality of children’s tracking watches The University of Adelaide - Honours Full Time Singh I

  • Board Memberships
    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2017 - 2020 Member University Council University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - 2016 Member Academic Board The University of Adelaide Australia

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2018 - 2018 Member Transforming Student Experience Committee University of Adelaide Australia
    2017 - 2019 President Executive Adelaide Postgraduate Student Association Australia
    2017 - 2019 Member Student Affairs Committee Unviersity of Adelaide Australia

  • Memberships
    Date Role Membership Country
    2018 - ongoing Member Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Australia
    2010 - ongoing Member Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Australia
    2009 - ongoing Member The Institute of Engineers Australia Australia
  • Position: Lecturer
  • Email: richard.matthews@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Ingkarni Wardli, floor 3
  • Org Unit: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Connect With Me
External Profiles