Social Sciences

Many grooves and dimples on the surface of the brain are unique to humans, but they’re often dismissed as an uninteresting consequence of packing an unusually large brain into a too-small skull.

But neuroscientists are finding that these folds are not mere artifacts, like the puffy folds you get when forcing a sleeping bag into a stuff sack. The depths of some of the smallest of these grooves seem to be linked to increased interconnectedness in the brain and better reasoning ability.

In a...

The first cohort of the Master of Computational Social Sciences (MaCSS) program has officially graduated, capping off a year-long journey of discovery, innovation and transformation.

Over the past year, these students have learned to use computational tools to answer complex questions about human behavior and the social world, a pioneering combination of technology and social science that reshapes how we understand the world.

MaCSS graduates were filled with joy and excitement as they celebrated this milestone...

According to the U.S. Census, only 14% of single mothers earn a bachelor’s degree in the United States. Mia Magaña Kelly refused to be just another statistic.

As a single mother who worked and attended college full-time, Mia overcame tremendous adversity to earn a sociology degree and a minor in psychology from UC Berkeley this month. Enduring domestic violence and teen motherhood amongst other challenges, Mia discovered a community at Cal, a world-class university she never in her wildest dreams thought was possible.

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Shaudi Fulp graduated from UC Berkeley in 2004 with bachelor’s degrees in legal studies and political psychology, later returning for her master’s in political science. She now helps emerging and mature companies build government affairs teams and strategies across the globe. Even though she lives in Southern California, Fulp is very involved with campus, offering guidance through the Berkeley Social Sciences Dean’s Advisory...