Dr. Matthew Oware | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award 

Full Professor at University of Richmond | United States

Dr. Matthew Oware is a distinguished Full Professor of Sociology at the University of Richmond, recognized for his influential contributions to the social sciences, particularly in the areas of race, gender, popular culture, and the sociology of the Black family. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University, Bloomington, and has since developed a strong academic profile marked by publications, public engagement, and teaching excellence. His professional experience spans years of research and teaching, with a focus on examining how hip hop and rap music function as cultural spaces for exploring racial identity, masculinity, and multiracial experiences. He has authored the widely cited monograph I Got Something to Say: Gender, Race, and Social Consciousness in Rap Music and has published in reputed journals such as the Journal of Black Studies, Journal of African American Studies, Poetics, Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, and Children and Youth Services Review. His research interests include race, popular culture, gender, masculinities, multiracial identity, and the Black family, with particular attention to how these themes manifest in cultural production and social consciousness. He is skilled in qualitative analysis, critical theory, and cultural sociology, applying these approaches to generate impactful insights that bridge academic and public discourse. In addition to scholarly journals, his work has reached broader audiences through contributions to outlets like Newsweek, CNN, and The Conversation. Dr. Matthew Oware’s academic impact is reflected in his research metrics, with 2 citations by 2 documents, 4 documents published, and an h-index of 1, demonstrating an emerging but meaningful presence in sociological research. His professional service includes active membership in the American Sociological Association, and he is widely recognized for mentoring students and contributing to public dialogue on race and culture. Overall, Dr. Matthew Oware’s career reflects deep scholarly commitment, public engagement, and leadership potential, making him a deserving figure whose future research promises to expand the global impact of social sciences.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications: 

Oware, M. (2018). I got something to say: Gender, race, and social consciousness in rap music. Palgrave Macmillan.

Oware, M. (n.d.). Race and space in rap: Conceptions of (multi)racial identity and urban life in rap music. Journal of Arts and Urban Development.

Oware, M. (n.d.). Rap music and the construction of Black masculinities. Journal of Black Studies.

Oware, M. (n.d.). Multiracial identity in hip hop culture: Performing difference and belonging. Sociology of Race and Ethnicity.

Oware, M. (n.d.). Youth, race, and resistance in hip hop narratives. Children and Youth Services Review.