Francis Matthew-Simmons is a Research Associate based at NDARC.

In 2006 he completed a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and a Bachelor of Public Policy and Management (Hons) degree at the University of Melbourne. His honours thesis focused on media reporting on ecstasy use in Australia.

In 2011 he was awarded his PhD (Public Health and Community Medicine). His PhD thesis focused on public opinion towards illicit drug policy in Australia. The thesis examined trends in public opinion on a range of issues, including public support for drug law reform and attitudes towards drug treatment and harm reduction interventions. The thesis also examined the relationship between cannabis policy and public opinion, as well as the influence of the news media on attitudes towards treatment for opioid dependence.

Apart from public opinion, his other research interests include illicit drug markets, the public policy process, and news media reporting on illicit drug issues.