Matrix Teach-In
Recap
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Desmond Jagmohan: “Two Concepts of Patriotism: Nationalist and Civic”
Social Science Matrix hosted a lecture by Desmond Jagmohan, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, that focused on the distinctions between nationalist from civic patriotism. The lecture was delivered as part of the Matrix Teach-In series, which brings some of UC Berkeley’s most engaging social science lecturers into a public setting.
Learn More >New Directions
Recap
New Directions: Green Transitions
The transition to a low-carbon economy is reshaping how societies produce and consume energy, with far-reaching implications for technology, industry, policy, and everyday life. Recorded on October 14, 2026, this panel brought together advanced graduate students from UC Berkeley whose research examines the forces shaping green energy transitions around the world.
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Norma Alarcón: “Forced by Circumstance: A Chicana Feminist Journey (1981–2024)”
Recorded on October 15, 2026, this video features a conversation with Norma Alarcón, Professor Emerita of Chicanx Latinx Studies at UC Berkeley, a groundbreaking Chicana theorist and feminist scholar. The conversation was presented by the Latinx Research Center and focused on the book "Forced by Circumstance: A Chicana Feminist Journey (1981–2024)."
Learn More >California Spotlight
Recap
California Spotlight: Wealth & Poverty
California is one of the wealthiest states in the country, yet it also faces persistent poverty, stark economic inequality, and some of the highest costs of living in the nation. Recorded on October 7, 2026, this panel brought together leading scholars to examine the forces shaping wealth and poverty across the state. Featuring David Grusky and Samuel Trachtman, with Evan White moderating.
Learn More >Authors Meet Critics
Recap
Authors Meet Critics: “Demos: How the People Ruled Athens”
Recorded on October 1, 2026, this video (and podcast) features an Authors Meet Critics panel on the book "Demos: How the People Ruled Athens," by Daniela Cammack, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley. With comments by James Porter and Kinch Hoekstra. Moderated by Dylan Riley.
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Recap
Normalizing Inequality: How Californians Make Sense of the Growing Divide
Watch the video (or listen to the podcast) of our Authors Meet Critics panel on "Normalizing Inequality: How Californians Make Sense of the Growing Divide," by UC Berkeley scholars G. Cristina Mora, Professor of Sociology, and Tianna Paschel, Associate Professor of African American Studies.
Learn More >Matrix News
Article
Matrix Welcomes Eight Research Teams for 2026-2027
Social Science Matrix is pleased to welcome eight new Matrix Research Teams — three faculty-led teams and five graduate student-led teams — for the 2026-2027 academic year. The teams will address topics such as the political economy of wildfire risk, the global politics of declining fertility, and the use of digital tools for governance and development in South Asia.
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News
Cori Hayden to Serve as Director of Social Science Matrix
Cori Hayden, Professor Anthropology at UC Berkeley, has been appointed Director of Social Science Matrix. Hayden previously served as Interim Director during the Spring 2025 semester.
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News
A Letter from Marion Fourcade
"I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve as Matrix's faculty director for the last seven years...." Read a letter from Professor Marion Fourcade, who recently stepped down from her role as Director of Social Science Matrix following a highly successful term.
Learn More >Book Talk
Recap
Benjamin Recht: “The Irrational Decision: How We Gave Computers the Power to Choose for Us”
Recorded on May 5, 2026, this video features a talk by Benjamin Recht, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley, focused on his book, The Irrational Decision: How We Gave Computers the Power to Choose for Us. Professor Recht was joined in conversation by Marion Fourcade, Professor of Sociology and Director of […]
Learn More >Authors Meet Critics
Recap
Incommunicable: Toward Communicative Justice in Health and Medicine
Watch the video (or listen to the podcast) of our Authors Meet Critics panel featuring the book "Incommunicable: Toward Communicative Justice in Health and Medicine," by Charles Briggs, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at UC Berkeley. Professor Briggs was joined in conversation by Elinor Ochs and Eric Snoey, with Armando Lara-Millán moderating.
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Recap
The Insatiable Machine: How Capitalism Conquered the World
Watch the video (or listen to the podcast) of our Authors Meet Critics panel on the book "The Insatiable Machine: How Capitalism Conquered the World," by Trevor Jackson, Associate Professor of History at UC Berkeley. Professor Jackson was joined in conversation by Chenzi Xu and Dylan Riley, with Abhishek Kaicker moderating.
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