UC Berkeley’s flagship institute for social science research

Our purpose is captured in our name: we provide an organizational framework—a “matrix”—that supports cross-disciplinary research pursued by social scientists across the University of California, Berkeley campus and beyond.

Matrix On Point

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Event Date: February 3rd, 2026
4:00pm-5:30pm

Matrix on Point: Corruption in America

This panel will bring together leading scholars from business, political science, and law to examine the many facets of corruption in the United States and the ways it is identified, constrained, and addressed. The panel will feature Sarah Anzia, Ernesto Dal Bó, and Erwin Chemerinsky, with Sean Gailmard moderating.

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Cities

Interview

Published September 1, 2021

A Photographic Interview: Kaily Heitz on Black Oakland

Kaily Heitz, who earned her PhD from the UC Berkeley Department of Geography in 2021, studies how concepts of Blackness and Black culture are deployed in the making and marketing of Oakland, California. Her dissertation, entitled “Oakland is a Vibe: Blackness, Cultural Framings and Emancipations of The Town,” draws on Black feminist geographies and media studies to understand contemporary conflicts over gentrification in “The Town.” This interview by Julia Sizek, a PhD candidate in the UC Berkeley Department of Anthropology, revolves around images from Kaily’s work that help reveal the arguments of her work.

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Social Science / Data Science

Recap

Published September 1, 2021

Julia Lane, NYU: “Democratizing our Data”

On August 26, 2021, Social Science Matrix and the D-Lab presented a lecture by Julia Lane, Professor at the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, at the NYU Center for Urban Science and Progress, and a NYU Provostial Fellow for Innovation Analytic. The talk, entitled "Democratizing Our Data," provided an overview of a research collaboration designed to improve the sharing of data across state agencies.

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California Spotlight

Interview

Published August 11, 2021

Kate Pennington on Gentrification and Displacement in San Francisco

What impact does new housing have on rents, displacement, and gentrification in the surrounding neighborhood? Read our interview with economist Kate Pennington about her article, "Does Building New Housing Cause Displacement?:The Supply and Demand Effects of Construction in San Francisco.”

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Methods

Interview

Published August 11, 2021

Metaketa: A Collaborative Model for Social Science Research

We interviewed Thad Dunning, Robson Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, about his work on the Metaketa Initiative, a new model for collaborative research, and about his research on how the dissemination of information about candidates influences voter behavior.

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Matrix News

Interview

Published August 11, 2021

Q&A with David Robinson, Visiting Scholar at Social Science Matrix

Social Science Matrix is honored to welcome David Robinson as a Visiting Scholar for the 2021-2022 academic year. A distinguished researcher working at the intersection of law, policy, and technology, David studies the design and management of algorithmic decision-making, particularly in the public sector. We interviewed David to learn more about his research interests and the projects he will be pursuing while at UC Berkeley.

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Race

Interview

Published June 9, 2021

A Q&A with Social Psychologist Jack Glaser on Racial Bias and Policing

Jack Glaser, Professor in the Goldman School of Public Policy, is a social psychologist whose primary research interest is in stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. He investigates the implications of racial profiling and other forms of bias in law enforcement. We spoke with Professor Glaser for his insights on bias in policing in the wake of the past year's protests for racial justice and police reform.

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