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

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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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Research Highlights

Article

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Published December 8, 2014

From Oil to Soil

Research by UC Berkeley geographer Adam Romero exposes how the toxic byproducts of petroleum have transformed agricultural production in California and around the world.

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Research Highlights

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Published December 7, 2014

Solving the Mysteries of Brain Waves

In laboratories across the UC Berkeley campus, researchers are unlocking some of the mysteries surrounding "neural rhythms," the pulses, bursts, and waves of electricity that continually surge through our brains.

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Research Highlights

Article

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Published November 30, 2014

Flying Forward

Investing in airports and other transportation infrastructure is a major driver of economic growth, according to new research by a UC Berkeley economics graduate student.

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Research Highlights

Article

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Published November 16, 2014

Economic Impacts of Climate Change

Climate change threatens certain U.S. regions and populations more than others, according to recent study led by UC Berkeley economist and professor of public policy, Solomon Hsiang.

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Research Highlights

Article

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Published November 10, 2014

Taming the Dust Devils

In an effort to control air pollution, the Chinese government is offering incentives to Mongolian pastoralists to shift their source of income, according to research by a UC Berkeley doctoral student.

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Matrix News

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Published November 7, 2014

UC Berkeley Research Network Graph

Social Science Matrix is building an interactive data visualization tool to highlight collaborations among UC faculty and students.

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