Social Sciences (Faculty & Staff)

In Memory of Professor Robert Powell: Colleague, Mentor & Friend

December 15, 2021

In memoriam photo of Professor Robert Powell, 1956-2021Robert L. “Bob” Powell passed away on December 13, 2021. He passed peacefully in his home, in the company of friends.

Bob was blessed with a powerful, extraordinarily clear intellect. He shared this gift with the world through many pioneering contributions to international relations, political economy, and game theory. His work on...

New research by Berkeley Economics faculty shows growing world inequality

December 9, 2021
According to the new report, the world’s richest people now own 11% of global wealth, marking the biggest leap in recent history

The 2022 World Inequality report, authored by Lucas Chancel, Thomas Piketty, Emmanuel Saez, and Gabriel Zucman, also found that wealth inequality had a strong correlation to carbon emissions and climate change goals. The poorest half of the population in rich countries is already at (or near) the 2030 climate targets in terms of emission rates, but that’s not the case for the top 50%.

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Nikki Jones is the new H. Michael and Jeanne Williams Professor and Department Chair for African American Studies

December 8, 2021

Nikki Jones, new Department chair of African American StudiesNikki Jones, a celebrated scholar and professor at UC Berkeley, was appointed the H. Michael and Jeanne Williams Professor and Department Chair for African American Studies in the College of Letters & Science.

H. Michael Williams ‘82, former UC Berkeley Foundation Trustee, Director of Cal Athletics and retired global financial services...

Berkeley Talks: Berkeley Experts on how to fight disinformation

October 8, 2021

In Berkeley Talks episode 125, a panel of leading UC Berkeley experts describe the harms of disinformation and explore potential solutions to its spread, from measures to strengthen old-school local news media to government regulation of tech titans like Facebook and Twitter.

“Disinformation, of course, is not new and we should acknowledge that,” began Hany Farid, associate dean and head of Berkeley’s School of Information, at the Sept. 21 event. “For as long as there’s been information, there’s been disinformation. However, in the digital age, I don’t think it will...

Meet Chris Gould (Economics)

November 24, 2021
Chris Gould, Fung Fellow (Economics)Chris Gould is a junior transfer in the Fung Fellowship Conservation + Tech track studying economics. Here, he shares his experience in the Army, goal to become a CPA and vision to combat the environmental crisis.

I’m a junior studying Economics at UC Berkeley. I’m in pursuit of my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and will be taking courses through Haas this...

Racism isn’t rocket science — it’s more complicated

November 16, 2021

Black marchers holding signs for civil rights As opponents of critical race theory continue to gather at school boards across the country protesting its use in classrooms, it has become evident that the study of racism in America continues to be seen, by some, as trivial.

But UC Berkeley College of Letters & Science...

Meet Alum Alan Munoz '20, Honors Fellow (Political Economy)

November 19, 2021
Alan Munoz '20, Political Economy Alan Munoz is a recent UC Berkeley graduate with a BA in Political Economy. As an alumnus of the Fung Fellowship, having been a part of the program for two years, he shares what he’s been doing after graduation and how the fellowship shaped his professional interests in public health and design.

Hello, my name is Alan Munoz, and I am a recent graduate of...

Professor Peter Nelson adds wildland firefighting to his expertise

November 16, 2021

Peter Nelson, a California Native American who joined the faculty in January 2021.For Peter Nelson, stepping foot on the UC Berkeley campus last January as a new faculty member, after 3 1/2 years on the San Diego State University faculty, was a return to his alma mater, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology.

Returning to Northern...

UC Berkeley again No.1 public, fourth best globally in U.S. News rankings

October 26, 2021

For the eighth straight year, UC Berkeley tops the list of the world’s best public universities and remains the fourth-best university overall in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 global universities rankings.