The Social Research Center's mission is to conduct and encourage multidisciplinary social science research in Egypt and the Arab region, to train researchers, and to guide and assist graduate students, scholars and organizations engaged in social science research in the region. The center strives to inform policy formulation and implementation while contributing to knowledge in the social sciences. It aims to contribute to developing skills and building institutional capacity in the region as well as to advance public debate about important issues.
The center does not carry out research on a for-profit basis and does not undertake any confidential research. It does not accept funding from any sources that cannot be publicly acknowledged. All research is designed to assure the rights of subjects to confidentiality and informed consent.

 Recent research activities encompass a broad range of topics including studies of population and fertility, poverty, political participation of women, the effects of economic liberalization, urbanization, social epidemiology, maternal and child health and the environment. Research at the Center is conducted in collaboration with national and international agencies, and the Egyptian government. It is directed toward providing and analyzing data relevant for policy making, and initiating an informed dialogue on issues of public policy. The Center undertakes its own research, and can also be subcontracted to provide research support to other institutions.

Other activities of the Center include training, seminars and support for graduate students and scholars from Egypt and the Arab region. These activities are designed to strengthen social research and scholarly collaboration in Egypt and in the larger region.

As a practical service to the research, policy, and action communities concerned with the situation of women and children in the Arab region, the SRC is developing a series of online 'Resource Sites' focused on different social policy topics. The sites offer access to relevant background information, literature, and research findings and analysis. The first site addresses issues of Working Children in Egypt. Topics under development include Women's Employment, Female Education, and Street Children.

IUSSP International Seminar on "Health Inequity: Current Knowledge and New Measurement Approaches"