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 its dedicated staff complement, consisting of 165 professional researchers, 63 technical and 128 support staff, based in five 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 four multi-disciplinary research programmes, two cross-cutting research units and three research centres are focused on user needs. The following units make up the HSRC.

Research programmes:

Child, Youth, Family and Social Development
Democracy and Governance
Education, Science and Skills Development
Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health (including the Africa-wide research network, SAHARA)

Cross-cutting units:

Policy Analysis and Capacity Enhancement Unit
Knowledge Systems

Centres:

Centre for Education Quality Improvement
Centre for Poverty, Employment and Growth
Centre for Service Delivery

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 and also read the paper on the CEO's vision for the HSRC.