The HSRC’s vision is to be a national, regional and global leader in social science and humanities research and dissemination in the interests of a just and equal society. Therefore, our work is focused on major developmental challenges in South Africa and Africa.
We use our unique knowledge-production abilities to contribute to policy development and programmes on poverty alleviation, measures to reduce inequality, and innovations for employment creation.
Our focused and consolidated research programme is structured around divisions and centres that respond to these national priorities.
The HSRC contributes to developing the capabilities of South Africans by establishing itself as a trusted and engaged partner within scientific communities and civil society. By forging active collaborations in the scientific community, it pools resources and provides complementary research to other research disciplines.
We prioritise cross-stakeholder dialogue and conversation with civil society organisations and with corporate and academic institutions in the country and across the region.
The HSRC endeavours to foster greater inclusion of communities in the research process. We strive to broaden our understanding of local issues by inviting community members to participate in research projects from the outset. Through ongoing collaborations, the HSRC aims to enhance scientific understanding and stimulate community-led innovation.
Finally, we rely on policy makers and implementing agents, particularly the government, for the uptake and use of our knowledge products for social change. Therefore, one of our priorities is to build a consolidated relationship of trust and influence with the government to guide and inform policy.
Committed to the constitutional state and the health of democracy in South Africa, this division provides research, implementation and advocacy support to build a capable, ethical and developmental state, strengthen social cohesion, and create safe, inclusive and resilient communities.
The Human and Social Capabilities division conducts transdisciplinary, intersectional, policy and programme-relevant research to improve health, well-being and promote a socially just and cohesive society.
The Inclusive Economic Development division undertakes research to transform educational outcomes and increase economic participation. We work to understand educational performance and improve learning for those from unequal starting points, and interrogate social, spatial and structural obstacles to economic participation.
The Africa Institute of South Africa undertakes basic and applied policy-relevant research focusing on development challenges and opportunities facing the African continent. It seeks to provide leadership and harness African agency towards transforming African societies into dynamic, peaceful, prosperous spaces.
The Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators conducts surveys and analyses data on science, technology and innovation. It has a rich database of longitudinal trend data on research, development and innovation for use by policymakers and researchers.
The Impact Centre’s three-fold mandate includes strengthening the organisation’s research relevance, visibility, and impact. The centre generates, measures and communicates impactful research on critical challenges facing South Africa and the world and also profiles HSRC researchers as global thought leaders.
Professor Simbayi is the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) of South Africa since 1 April 2021. He is formerly the founding Executive Director of the HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB (HAST) research programme in the same organisation.
The Office of the Deputy CEO: Research is the coordination hub of all research related activities in the HSRC. It operates at the interface of research and support, playing a significant role in ensuring that the HSRC achieves its mandated objectives.
The eRKC is a research enabler that provides innovative knowledge services to the HSRC. The unit enhances the HSRC’s research capability through information services, geospatial analytics and digital curation.
The office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) consists of three units namely Finance, Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and Supply Chain Management (SCM). The (PFMA) prescribes that the Board for a public organisation must ensure that the public organisation has and maintains effective, efficient, and transparent systems of financial, risk management, and internal control.
The Office of the Group Executive: Shared Services (GE:SS) is responsible for providing the HSRC with coordinated corporate support as well as administrative transactional processes such as Human Resource (HR) servicing, Information Technology (IT) processes and support, and all Facilities and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) services and systems.
The Learning and Development unit (L&D) in the Human Resources (HR) department implements capacity development programmes for HSRC staff, manages a Research Internship Programme that provides employment opportunities for registered higher degree students, and funds most training in the organisation as well as local and international conference travel.
