Rate My Professor Matt Butler

Associate Professor Matthew Butler is an academic in the Department of Human-Centred Computing within the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University, where he has worked for over 20 years in teaching and research roles. His academic qualifications include a Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Education from Monash University, awarded in 2010 for his thesis "A Framework for the Effective Learning of High Concept - Low Feedback Programming Curriculum"; a Graduate Certificate of Higher Education in 2006; and a Bachelor of Engineering (Electronic and Computer) with Honours in 1996, both from Monash. Prior to full-time academia, he spent six years as an engineer at a major manufacturing company.

Butler's research specializations centre on assistive and inclusive technologies, particularly enhancing access to visual and graphical information for people who are blind or have low vision via 3D printing, low-cost electronics, conversational agents, and refreshable displays. His participatory approach supports applications in education, data exploration, orientation and mobility, and arts and culture, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 on reduced inequalities. Active ARC-funded projects include "Accessible Mathematics for Students who are Blind or have Low Vision" (2025–2028), "Enabling Accessible, Inclusive Playgrounds for Children and Carers with Vision Impairment" (2024–2027), and "Accessible Data Exploration and Analysis for Blind People" (2023–2027). He has produced 64 research outputs, with Google Scholar citations exceeding 2,242. Key publications feature "Educational data mining and learning analytics in programming: Literature review and case studies" (2015, 416 citations), "Accessible maps for the blind: Comparing 3D printed models with tactile graphics" (CHI 2018, 214 citations), "Technology developments in touch-based accessible graphics: A systematic review of research 2010-2020" (CHI 2021, 77 citations), and 2025 CHI Conference papers such as "3D Printing for Accessible Education: A Case Study in Assistive Technology Adoption", "Enhancing Tactile Learning: A Co-Designed System for Supporting Speech Interaction with Multi-Part 3D Printed Models by Students who are Blind", and "It Brought the Model to Life: Exploring the Embodiment of Multimodal I3Ms for People who are Blind or have Low Vision".

Butler holds leadership positions as Faculty Associate Dean (Graduate Research) since 2026, co-lead of the Education Pillar in Monash Assistive Technology and Society centre since 2023, and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Prior roles include Deputy (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) (2024–2025), Deputy Dean (Education) (2020–2022), Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching) (2018–2020), Chair of the Undergraduate Programs Committee (2013–2016), and elected Faculty Board member.