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.

Learn More >

News

Published September 21, 2017

Matrix Welcomes 2017-2018 Dissertation Fellows

From improving census measurements in developing nations to exploring environmentally balanced livestock policies, this year's Social Science Matrix Dissertation Fellows are tackling important challenges that span disciplinary boundaries.

Learn More >

Matrix News

News

Published July 25, 2017

Matrix Launches Faculty Exchange with Sciences Po

A new faculty exchange partnership between UC Berkeley's Social Science Matrix and France’s Sciences Po will support collaborations between researchers at two of the world's leading social science institutions.

Learn More >

Matrix News

News

Published July 25, 2017

Matrix to Publish Monograph Series with UC Press

Working with faculty at Berkeley and beyond, Matrix will soon begin publishing a series of digital monographs in collaboration the University of California Press (UC Press).

Learn More >

Gender

Article

Published June 13, 2017

Dr. Charis Thompson: Critique in the Era of Trump

Dr. Charis Thompson analyzes our political moment and discusses working at the intersections of science, gender, and society.

Learn More >

Research Highlights

Article

Published May 30, 2017

Network for Adolescent Well-being and Development (NAWD)

Matrix has produced a three-minute video profiling the “Network for Adolescent Well-being and Development” (NAWD), a Social Science Matrix Project Team that ran during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Learn More >

Grants and Opportunities

News

Published May 23, 2017

2017-2018 Matrix Research Teams Announced

Social Science Matrix is pleased to announce our 2017-2018 Matrix Research Teams, groups of scholars from across disciplines who will investigate issues ranging from human rights and immigration to infrastructure, digital privacy, and communication between physicians and patients.

Learn More >