HSRC Publishing house publishes relevant and innovative research-based books from and about South Africa, Africa, and the world. Original scholarly books cover the social sciences and humanities in South Africa and Africa and the global south and are peer-reviewed through an editorial board to ensure the highest quality content, and world-class research publications.

The publishing house has grown to become the leading scholarly publisher in Africa.  It has a strong global presence and brand recognition, with direct sales and distribution representation on three continents and online representation worldwide, enabling it to effectively meet both its public purpose and business objectives.

HSRC Publishing publishes books under three imprints, HSRC Press, AISA, and Best Red. The HSRC Press and AISA imprints adopt a double-blind peer-review process to ensure the highest quality content, and world-class research publications. The Best Red imprint is aimed at publishing a different range of academic and general non-fiction books, primarily focusing on humanities, and targeting the more mainstream and broader readership for evidence-based non-fiction books to ensure research is accessible and available in the public space.

The HSRC Press website open access platform, designed mainly for public purpose, and use in South Africa and Africa and offering over 600 scholarly books for unlimited viewing and free download, attracts thousands of viewers each year from over 200 countries.