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.

Book Talk

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Event Date: May 5th, 2026
4:00pm-5:15pm

The Irrational Decision: How We Gave Computers the Power to Choose for Us

Join us on May 5 for a talk on "The Irrational Decision: How We Gave Computers the Power to Choose for Us," by Benjamin Recht, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley. The conversation will be moderated by Marion Fourcade, Professor of Sociology and Director of Social Science Matrix.

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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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Matrix News

News

Published June 9, 2021

Matrix Announces 2021-2022 Research Teams

How are digital technologies re-shaping property and development? How are unionized employees in the energy sector experiencing climate change? What are the impacts of Chinese surveillance systems deployed across the Global South? These are among the diverse questions that will be addressed by the eight Matrix Research Teams to be funded by Social Science Matrix during the 2021-2022 academic year.

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