Prof Matzopoulos trained as an injury epidemiologist. His research centres on measuring the health and social burden of violence and injury and evaluating interventions and policies that target upstream determinants. An Honorary Professor at the University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health and Family Medicine, he co-ordinates its Violence and Injury Research Programme. He also advises the Western Cape Government on alcohol harm reduction, and interpersonal violence and injury prevention and surveillance. He is a focal point for the international Violence Prevention Alliance and a Member of the International Collaborative Effort on Injury Statistics and Methods.