The core business of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is to conduct large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific projects for public-sector users, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies. We do this in partnership with researchers globally, but specifically in Africa. Our commitment to cutting-edge research which supports development nationally, in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and in Africa is evident, but it is our commitment to the dissemination of that research that demonstrates the remarkable and measurable impact of our work.

As the national social science council of South Africa, the HSRC wishes to serve as a knowledge hub to bridge the gap between research, policy and action; thus increasing the impact of research. This is achieved through collaboration with key constituencies, including government, other research organisations, multinational agencies, universities, non-government organisations, and donor and development organisations.

With a dedicated staff complement of almost 500, consisting of professional researchers, technical and administrative support staff, based in six offices in four different provinces of across South Africa, the HSRC is well equipped to respond flexibly and comprehensively to current and emerging needs. Its six multi-disciplinary research programmes and research centres are focused on user needs. The following units make up the HSRC.

Research programmes:

Education and Skills Development
Economic Performance and Development
Population Health, Health Systems and Innovation
HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (including the Africa-wide research network, SAHARA)
Democracy, Governance and Service Delivery
Human and Social Development

Centres:

Centre for Africa's Social Progress
Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators 

The HSRC Press, the publishing arm of the HSRC, is South Africa's only open access publisher and is committed to the dissemination of high quality, social science research-based publications, in print and electronic form. HSRC Press publishes the research output of the HSRC as well as externally authored works. A formal peer-review process guarantees the highest academic quality and the Press has a very active local and international marketing programme, in addition to collaborating with foreign publishers on specific titles.

Note: Read our mission statement .