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 Lecture

Recap

Published April 9, 2018

Human Rights in the Neoliberal Maelstrom

On March 15, 2018, Social Science Matrix was honored to host Samuel Moyn, Professor of Law and History at Yale University, for a lecture entitled "Human Rights in the Neoliberal Maelstrom," drawing from his recently published book Not Enough: Human Rights in an Unequal World.

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Solidarity

Published March 22, 2018

Threatened Scholars

Recorded on February 27, 2018, panelists discuss the various types of threats facing scholars around the world, as well as as solutions that have been developed by governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations, including Scholars at Risk, which works to protect threatened scholars and promote academic freedom around the world.

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Matrix Lecture

Recap

Published February 6, 2018

Craig Calhoun, “Cosmopolitanism and Belonging”

On January 31, 2018, Craig Calhoun, President of the Berggruen Institute and Centennial Professor at the London School of Economics, presented the UC Berkeley Social Science Matrix Distinguished Lecture, "Cosmopolitanism and Belonging."

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Climate

News

Published February 5, 2018

Matrix Hosts Advanced Workshop in Climate Economics

Social Science Matrix was honored to host the Advanced Workshop in Climate Economics, with support from SAGE Publications and Sara Miller McCune.

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Matrix News

News

Published January 8, 2018

Matrix/Sciences Po Collaboration Grants Announced

Four teams of scholars from the U.S. and France will use seed funding to tackle globally significant, cross-disciplinary research questions in the social sciences.

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Economy

Article

Published December 7, 2017

Changing the Face of Economics

UC Berkeley economics professor Dr. Martha Olney explains the importance of diversity in the field, and why she supports initiatives designed to welcome underrepresented groups to the major.

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