Matrix Podcast

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

Incommunicable: Toward Communicative Justice in Health and Medicine

Recorded on April 9, 2026, this Authors Meet Critics panel features the book Incommunicable: Toward Communicative Justice in Health and Medicine, by Charles Briggs, the A

Authors Meet Critics: Trevor Jackson, "The Insatiable Machine: How Capitalism Conquered the World"

On April 7, 2026, Social Science Matrix hosted an Authors Meet Critics panel on the book The Insatiable Machine: How Capitalism Conquered the World, by Trevor Jackson, As

Matrix on Point: The U.S. Dollar Hegemony in Transition

The global dominance of the U.S. dollar has long shaped international trade, financial markets, and geopolitical power. Amid shifting global dynamics and the rapid develo

Julien Migozzi: "Algorithms of Distinction: Class, Credit Scores, and Property in South Africa"

Recorded on March 18, 2026, this podcast features a lecture by Julien Migozzi, an economic geographer and Assistant Professor in Development Studies at the University of

California Spotlight: Higher Education Under Attack

Higher education is facing mounting pressures, from political intervention and financial challenges to attacks on academic freedom. These tensions are visible in the Univ

Matrix Teach-In: Ula Taylor, "The Making of Frances M. Beal's Black Feminist House"

Recorded on February 19, 2026, this video presents a lecture by Ula Taylor, Professor and Chair of the Department of African American Studies & African Diaspora Studies.

Matrix on Point: Corruption in America

Corruption is a persistent challenge in America, shaping institutions, influencing policy, and eroding public trust. Understanding its roots, mechanisms, and consequences

"Some College" and the Social Function of Higher Education: An Interview with Sarah Payne

What are the economic consequences of starting, but not completing college? On this episode of the Matrix Podcast, Sarah Harrington, Program Manager at Social Science Mat

Alexis Madrigal: "To Know A Place"

Recorded on December 4, 2025, this video features a Social Science Matrix Distinguished Lecture, "To Know a Place," presented by journalist and author Alexis Madrigal.  

Maximilian Kasy: "The Means of Prediction: How AI Really Works (and Who Benefits)"

  Recorded on December 2, 2025, this video features a talk by Maximilian Kasy, Professor of Economics at the University of Oxford, presenting his book The Means of Pred

Matrix Teach-In: Seth Lunine

Recorded on November 17, 2025, this recording features a talk by Seth Lunine, Lecturer in the UC Berkeley Department of Geography, who presented a talk reflecting on his

Matrix on Point: Financializing Disaster

The technical world of insurance is a critical lens through which to understand the escalating crises in climate change and housing. As climate risks intensify, both publ

Matrix on Point: Spaces for Thriving

Physical spaces profoundly influence community well-being. Understanding this relationship is crucial for leveraging planning and policy to foster equitable outcomes. R

Matrix on Point: Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy theories are a pervasive and powerful force in contemporary society, shaping public discourse and influencing real-world events. Understanding their origins, s

Engendering Blackness: Slavery and the Ontology of Sexual Violence

On October 15, 2025, Matrix hosted an Authors Meet Critics panel on the book Engendering Blackness: Slavery and the Ontology of Sexual Violence, by Patrice Douglass, Assi

Legitimation by (Mis)identification: Credit, Discrimination, and The Racial Epistemology of Algorithmic Expansion

Recorded on September 22, 2025, this video features a talk by Davon Norris, Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies and Sociology (by courtesy) and Faculty Associat

New Directions: Borderlands

Borders reflect the many social, historical, and political forces that shape global movement and identity. While borders often suggest fixed lines of division, the experi

Technology and China in the New Political Economy

The innovation, use and experience, and exchange of new and emerging technologies today are influenced by the role that China plays in global politics and economy. Reco

Governing Giants: Law, Politics, and Antitrust

Large corporations increasingly dominate markets, the flow of information, and political influence. In response, many governments have used antitrust policies in an attem