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

Recap

Published April 10, 2025

Mainstreaming Psychedelics

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. As psychedelics shed their stigma, they are catalyzing a broader conversation about mental health, spirituality, and the boundaries of human consciousness. Recorded on March 6, 2025, this panel featured Diana Negrin, David Presti, Charles Hirschkind, and Graham Pechenik, with Poulomi Saha moderating.

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Matrix News

News

Published June 25, 2020

2020-2021 Matrix Research Teams Announced

Seven new interdisciplinary teams will tackle emerging social-scientific topics

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Grants and Opportunities

Published June 2, 2020

2020 Social Science Division Distinguished Teaching and Service Awards

Raka Ray, Dean of the Division of Social Sciences, honors instructors for overcoming challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

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COVID-19

Article

Published May 6, 2020

Disaster Preparedness and Seeking Equity Amidst COVID-19

An interview with Sarah Vaughn, Assistant Professor in the UC Berkeley Department of Anthropology, on how different communities prepare for and respond to pandemics and disasters.

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Health

Published April 29, 2020

Berkeley Interpersonal Contact Study

Researchers from the UC Berkeley Department of Demography use survey methods to measure the effect of "social distancing."

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Inclusion

Published April 22, 2020

COVID-19 is Blind to Legal Status, but Can Disproportionately Hurt Immigrants

 COVID-19 is blind to legal status, but can still disproportionately hurt immigrants, argue Jasmijn Slootjes and Irene Bloemraad from the Berkeley Interdisciplinary Migration Initiative.

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COVID-19

Published April 17, 2020

Student Futures and Life Under COVID-19

Michael Watts writes that innovative solutions are needed to support students and universities in the era of COVID-19.

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