Dr Matthew Stevens
Senior research fellow
Qualifications:
PhD, Charles Darwin University, 2013; Bachelor of Science (Honours), Griffith University, 1999.
Approved level of HDR supervision at Charles Darwin University:
Associate Supervisor for PhD
Location:
Darwin - Charles Darwin University, Casuarina campus
Biography:
Matthew Stevens is a public health researcher and statistician. He has worked as a consultant statistician across a range of disciplines from environmental science to epidemiology.
After moving to the Northern Territory (NT) in 2000, he began working for the Australia Bureau of Statistics in the National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics before joining the Menzies School of Health Research in 2002 to work in the area of Indigenous housing and social determinants of health.
Matthew received his PhD in 2013 for his research into gambling problems amongst the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. He now manages projects in alcohol and gambling, and provides statistical support on a large Indigenous tobacco survey and other projects. He has authored reports and journal articles in the field of social determinants of health with a focus on Northern Territory Aboriginal communities in the areas of gambling, housing, social and emotional wellbeing, natural fluoride and children’s dental caries, tobacco control and indicators of alcohol harms.
Research Themes
Gambling:
- Interactive (Online) Gambling: A national study of online gambling by Australians (2019-2020)
- Talking About Gambling: Using technology to reduce gambling harm in NSW Aboriginal communities, a health promotion randomized control trial (2019-2020)
- 2018 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey (2018-2019)
- Exploring gamblers perceptions of harm minimisation and health promotion
- Northern Territory Gambling Project: Evaluating a health promotion framework to work with Indigenous communities to reduce harm from gambling (2018-2020)
- The size and growth of the Northern Territory’s Gambling Industry
- 2015 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey
Alcohol:
- Stevens, M. and Livingstone, C. (2019). Evaluating changes in electronic gambling machine policy on user losses in an Australian jurisdiction. BMC Public Health 19(1): 517.
- Flack, M., & Stevens, M. (2018). Gambling motivation: Comparisons across gender and preferred activity. International Gambling Studies, 19(1), 69-84.
- Barnes, T., Stevens, M., Thoss, M. & Taylor, A. (2017) The size and growth of the Northern Territory’s Gambling Industry. Northern Institute Working Paper 08/2017. Darwin: Northern Institute and Menzies School of Health Research.
- Stevens, M., Thoss, M., & Barnes, T. (2017). 2015 Northern Territory Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey Report. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research & the Northern Territory Government.
- Stevens, M., & Paradies, Y. (2014). Changes in exposure to ‘life stressors’ in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, 2002 to 2008. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 144.
- Stevens, M., & Golebiowska, K. (2013). Gambling problems amongst the CALD population of Australia: Hidden, visible or not a problem? Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 3, 1-20.
- Stevens, M., & Bailie, R. (2012). Gambling, housing conditions, community contexts and child health in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. BMC Public Health, 12, 377.
- Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2010). Independent correlates of reported gambling problems amongst Indigenous Australians. Social Indicators Research, 98(1), 147-166.
- Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2010). Who plays what? Player preferences in chance and skill-based games. Journal of Gambling Studies, 26(1), 89-103.
- Stevens, M., & Young, M. (2009). Betting on the evidence: Reported gambling problems amongst the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 33(6), 556-565.
Click here to view more Matthew Stevens publications in PubMed.
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Poker machine losses hit record levels after pandemic shutdowns in the NT
Gamblers pumped record amounts of money into poker machines in the NT after coronavirus shutdowns last year, according to new data that researchers have linked to federal pandemic payments.
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Problem Gambling Rates Increase in Australia’s Northern Territory, Latest Report Finds
A report reflecting a massive increase in problem gambling in Australia’s Northern Territory has been made public following a change in the local Government’s previous refusals to publish it.
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NT Government admits delay releasing problem gambling report
The Gambling Prevalence and Wellbeing Survey was conducted by the Menzies School of Health Research after the organisation received a $695,000 grant from the Government's Community Benefit Fund in late 2018.
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Online gambling and should we be worried? Interview with Dr Matt Stevens
Dr Matt Stevens talks to Mel Little about how the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the potential for online gambling to be cause for concern amongst public health researchers around Australia.
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Researchers call for stronger regulation of online gambling industry in the NT
Dear Minister Fyles - Please see the attached letter from a group of public health researchers concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on patterns of gambling, and in particular, online gambling.
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Demands Grow to Shut Down Pokies
Pressure is building for poker machine venues to be closed. A number of public health and gambling experts made the call almost a week ago and yet slot machine venues remain open across Tasmania.
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A fresh push to come to grips with online gambling
Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is funding a team of eminent Australian and international researchers to identify the latest trends in online/interactive gambling, particularly sports and race betting participation, in the context of broader trends in gambling behaviour.
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Campus Morning Mail | The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to Menzies School of Health Research
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2019 research award goes to the Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling Team at the Menzies School of Health Research, in Darwin
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MENZIES SCHOOL OF HEALTH RESEARCH RECOGNISED WITH NATIONAL AWARD
Menzies School of Health Research, has won the Research Award at the 2019 National Alcohol and Other Drugs Excellence and Innovation Awards in Melbourne.
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Gambling survey will measure gambling patterns and harms in the NT
Menzies and Roy Morgan Research will conduct a survey on behalf of the NT Government to research patterns of gambling, problem gambling risk, harms from gambling and the health and wellbeing of Territorians.
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Gambling study examines 'incredibly social' card games played in Indigenous communities
ANU's Centre for Gambling is leading the three-year project, which has made its initial findings, in partnership with Amity Community Services and the Menzies School of Health Research.
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NT Gambling Project - The Tiwi News | Issue #35
The NT Gambling Project has satrted in Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands.
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NT Government - Gambling Prevalence Survey Released
A study from the Menzies School of Health Research, released by the Territory Government, shows gambling participation declined significantly.
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NT News editorial on Menzies gambling report
NT Government release Menzies report into gambling rates
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Researcher brings Indigenous gambling and smoking into focus with funding boost
The hundreds of communities nationwide that suffer the detrimental social and health effects of gambling and smoking will benefit from new research out of Menzies.
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CAAMA News: Gambling causing harm to Aboriginal Children’s Health
A study by the Menzies School of Health Research has confirmed that gambling problems in remote Aboriginal Communities are associated with poorer health outcomes for children.
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Gambling causing harm to Indigenous children's health
A study by the Menzies School of Health Research has confirmed that gambling problems in remote Indigenous communities are associated with poorer health outcomes for children.