Annual report 2005/2006
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- 2005/2006 Annual Report full document: in pdf format
Who we are
One of the HSRC Press book covers featured in the Annual Report
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is South Africa's statutory research council mandated to undertake, promote and co-ordinate policy-relevant, problem-oriented research in the human and social sciences. The public-purpose mandate of the HSRC is derived from the Human Sciences Research Act (Act 23 of 1968), as amended.
Some of the main functions of the HSRC, as derived from the Act, are:
- to undertake, or promote and co-ordinate research on behalf of the State or any person or authority;
- to advise the Minister and key decision-makers with regard to undertaking and promoting social scientific research and using it to the benefit of the country;
- to co-operate with departments of State, universities and other education institutions, as well as other people and authorities, to promote and conduct research;
- to co-operate with people and authorities in other countries that conduct or promote research in the human and social sciences; and
- to publish or cause to be published the results of research.
The Act also mandates the HSRC to undertake paid-for contract research and services on any subject in the field of the human and social sciences.
Vision
The HSRC intends to become a human and social sciences research council that serves as a knowledge hub where public policy and discourse on current and future challenges for South Africa and the African continent are independently researched, analysed and informed, and where research-based solutions to human and social problems are developed.
Mission
The HSRC is a non-partisan organisation that provides critical information to a variety of role-players, whether in policy development, media analysis, advocacy or in debates, so that such role-players can make informed decisions. Th HSRC generates scientific knowledge through its research and analytical work in the social and human sciences. It strives to be an instrument for providing independent information free from political, religious and/or racial bias.
