Past Events

Join us for a talk by AJ Alvero, a computational sociologist at Cornell University, who will present findings from a large project analyzing every parole hearing transcript in California that occurred from November 2007 until November 2019, along with a wealth of administrative data, some of which was obtained after successfully suing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Part of a symposium series presented by the UC Berkeley Computational Research for Equity in the Legal System Training Program (CRELS).

Join us for a talk by Alexander F. Roehrkasse, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Butler University, centered on declining Black–White inequality and skyrocketing educational inequality in U.S. prison admissions. He will discuss possible causes of recent inequality trends — and potential research strategies for identifying them. 

Please join us on March 17 from 4pm-5:30pm for an Authors Meet Critics panel on the book "Colonizing Palestine: The Zionist Left and the Making of the Palestinian Nakba," by Areej Sabbagh-Khoury, Assistant Professor of Sociology at UC Berkeley. Professor Sabbagh-Khoury will be joined in conversation by Zeus Leonardo, Professor in the School of Education at UC Berkeley; and Keith Feldman, Associate Professor and Chair of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley. Ussama Makdisi, Professor of History and Chair for the new Palestinian and Arab Studies Program at UC Berkeley, will moderate.

Psychedelics are steadily moving from the fringes of counterculture to the heart of mainstream society, driven by a growing body of research and shifting public perception. This panel will feature an interdisciplinary group of scholars discussing the implications of this trend, particularly as the new era of psychedelics is catalyzing a broader conversation about mental health, spirituality, and the boundaries of human consciousness. Featuring Diana Negrin, David Presti, Charles Hirschkind, and Graham Pechenik, with Poulomi Saha moderating.

Over the last two decades, the rise of “nonconventional” fossil-fuel extraction has wildly transformed local landscapes within the North American hinterland, the Earth's climatic system, and the political-economic balance between northern and southern nations. This workshop is devoted to the critical discussion of two works in progress that aim to theorize the ongoing revolution in non-conventional fossil fuels. Troy Vettese and Cameron Hu will discuss their respective papers on the tar sands and fracking, with Nathaniel Dolton-Thornton as discussant.

The future of virtual reality (VR) is poised to be transformative, reshaping industries, enhancing human connection, and redefining how we work, play, and learn. However, the evolution of the metaverse also necessitates careful consideration of its societal and environmental impacts. The panel will feature Nicole Starosielski, Professor of Film and Media Studies at UC Berkeley; Emma Fraser, Assistant Teaching Professor in Media Studies and the Berkeley Center for New Media at UC Berkeley; and Clancy Wilmott, Assistant Professor in Critical Cartography, Geovisualisation and Design in the Berkeley Center for New Media and the Department of Geography at UC Berkeley. 

As wildfires grow more frequent and devastating, they expose vulnerabilities in infrastructure, governance, and community preparedness. This Matrix on Point discussion will feature a group of scholars discussing the challenges that must be addressed to mitigate these impacts in California and beyond. With Christopher Ansell, Kenichi Soga, and Marta Gonzalez. Moderated by Louise Comfort.

Please join us on February 10 from 4pm-5:30pm for an Authors Meet Critics panel on the book Society Despite the State: Reimagining Geographies of Order, by Gerónimo Barrera de la Torre, Assistant Professor of Geography at UC Berkeley, and Anthony Ince, Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Human Geography at Cardiff University and British Academy Mid-Career Fellow. The authors will be joined in conversation by Dylan John Riley and Anna Stilz, with Jake Kosek moderating.

Fringe politics today is highly diverse and dynamic, reflecting the rapid social, technological, and economic changes of the 21st century. This panel will bring together a group of UC Berkeley graduate students from the fields of geography, anthropology, and sociology for a discussion on politics on the fringe through the lens of such topics as QAnon, religious studies, and California secessionism.

As one of the nation's agricultural powerhouses, California's farming industry stands at a critical juncture. Climate change, labor availability and migration, and rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping the landscape of agriculture in the Golden State. This panel will bring together experts to analyze these changes and explore their implications for agricultural communities and rural economies.

Register to join us on December 5 for a talk by Marion Fourcade, Professor of Sociology and Director of Social Science Matrix, celebrating the publication of her book, "The Ordinal Society," co-authored with Kieran Healy. This event is co-sponsored by the Berkeley Economy and Society Initiative (BESI).

Register to join us on December 3 for an Authors Meet Critics panel on "Sin Padres, Ni Papeles: Unaccompanied Migrant Youth Coming of Age in the United States," by Stephanie Canizales, Assistant Professor of Sociology at UC Berkeley and Faculty Director of the Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative. Professor Canizales will be joined in conversation by Kristina Lovato, Assistant Professor of Social Welfare, and Caitlin Patler, Associate Professor of Public Policy. Sarah Song, Professor at Berkeley Law, will moderate.