Dr. Matei is known for applying, from a cross-analytical perspective, traditional statistical, GIS, and spatial methodologies to the study of information technology and social integration. He has conducted a number of studies on the social and cognitive impact of location aware systems deployed in real or virtual environments. (Location aware systems take into account the geographic or social context of the user when delivering information.) His current research is particularly focused on the role of spatial indexing on learning in location aware situations and on the role of physical affordances in structuring location aware communication experiences. The experimental work he conducted at Purdue University's Envision lab indicates that there are some benefits for information acquisition in location aware situations.
In addition, he has conducted large-scale multidisciplinary surveys of communication technology use in local communities both in the United States and in Europe. His research was funded by the National Science Foundation, Motorola, Kettering Foundation, University of Kentucky, and Purdue University and was recognized by various professional organizations with paper and research awards. His teaching portfolio includes research methods, multimedia design, usability, online interaction and online community development classes. His teaching makes use of a number of software platforms he has codeveloped, such as Visible Effort (http://veffort.us). Dr. Matei is also known for his media work. He is a former BBC World Service journalist and is still actively involved with a number of media projects, such as his research blog (http://www.matei.org/ithink), online magazines (http://www.pagini.com), and his columns and essays published in in Esquire Magazine and Foreign Policy Romania.