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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Podcast

Interview

Published October 30, 2019

Matrix Podcast: Interview with Dacher Keltner

In this episode of the Matrix Podcast, Michael Watts talks with Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology, Director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Laboratory, and Faculty Director of the Greater Good Science Center.

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Inequality

Article

Published October 29, 2019

Q&A: Professor Gabriel Zucman

A new book by Gabriel Zucman and Emmanuel Saez argues that the American tax system is more unfair than ever—but there are ways to fix it.

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Matrix On Point

Recap

Published October 29, 2019

Matrix on Point: Brexit

The end of October 2019 marks the deadline for Brexit ("British Exit"), when the United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union. Following a revolt from within his own party, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has failed in his efforts to move ahead without a "backstop" and called a General Election for December 12. What's next for Brexit? And how might Brexit transform political and economic life in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the world? On October 24, three distinguished scholars—Mark Bevir, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for British Studies, Akasemi Newsome, Associate Director of the Institute of European Studies, and Ian Duncan, Florence Green Bixby Chair in the English Department—took on this important topic as part of "Matrix On Point," a new brown-bag series that promotes focused, cross-disciplinary conversations on today’s most pressing contemporary issues.

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Authors Meet Critics

Recap

Published October 15, 2019

The Populist Temptation

Recorded on October 3, 2019, this "Authors Meet Critics" panel centered on Professor Barry Eichengreen's book, The Populist Temptation: Economic Grievance and Political Reaction in the Modern Era.

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Other Events

Recap

Published October 7, 2019

Will It Still Be The Economy, Stupid, In 2020?

Recorded on September 24, 2019, this panel discussion featured distinguished political scientists discussing the role the economy is likely to play in the 2020 elections.

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Economy

Article

Published September 16, 2019

Q&A: Professor Barry Eichengreen

A Q&A with Professor Barry Eichengreen, author of The Populist Temptation: Economic Grievance and Political Reaction in the Modern Era.

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