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

REGISTER

Event Date: February 24th, 2025
4:00 PM to 5:30 PM PT

Virtual Realities and Digital Spaces

The future of virtual reality (VR) is poised to be transformative, reshaping industries, enhancing human connection, and redefining how we work, play, and learn. However, the evolution of the metaverse also necessitates careful consideration of its societal and environmental impacts. The panel will feature Nicole Starosielski, Professor of Film and Media Studies at UC Berkeley; Emma Fraser, Assistant Teaching Professor in Media Studies and the Berkeley Center for New Media at UC Berkeley; and Clancy Wilmott, Assistant Professor in Critical Cartography, Geovisualisation and Design in the Berkeley Center for New Media and the Department of Geography at UC Berkeley. 

Learn More >

Matrix News

Published September 24, 2015

Fall 2015 Matrix Seminars Underway

Covering topics ranging from climate change and race relations to polarization in Europe and the study of metaphor, a new series of interdisciplinary seminars are underway at Social Science Matrix.

Learn More >

Interview

Published September 22, 2015

Robin T. Lakoff: “What’s Up With Upspeak?”

The linguistic phenomenon known as “upspeak” has long been linked to a broader pattern of gender relations, thanks to the work of UC Berkeley’s Robin T. Lakoff, Professor Emerita in the Department of Linguistics.

Learn More >

Interview

Article

Published August 15, 2015

Manisha Anantharaman: “It’s Not Easy Being Green”

For India’s growing middle class, recycling is as much about creating identity as being environmentally conscientious.

Learn More >

Workshop/Symposium

Published July 7, 2015

Hacking Measurement

A Social Science Matrix research seminar on "Technology for Measurement" is dedicated to developing new solutions for gathering social data from a variety of sources.

Learn More >

Workshop/Symposium

Published July 7, 2015

Taming Animal Spirits

A pair of researchers from UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy organized a Matrix seminar to explore what neuroscience can tell us about asset price bubbles and other irrational economic behavior.

Learn More >

Research Highlights

Article

Published July 1, 2015

Speech on the Brain

A UCSF neuroscientist and UC Berkeley linguist team up for leading-edge research that could one day help give speech back to stroke victims and people with paralyses.

Learn More >