The Institute, with more than 50 associates is currently the biggest research establishment of Hungarian sociology. The researchers of the Institute conduct the empirical study of social processes with aspirations of developing sociological theories and methodology. As experts they participate in the management of the society, in elaborating the different sociological contexts of the social policy and economy, in the development of different types of reform concepts and also in their critical analysis. The associates of the Institute organize workshops, national and international conferences for the discussion of scientific issues.

The following themes of research have emerged out of the merger of the profile of the two former institutions:

• Research into the society and social policy.
• Lifestyle, life strategies, the pluralism of cultures.
• The study of social structure, of poverty and minorities.
• Study of culture, the cultural relations of daily life.
• The set of political institutions, political culture, European integration.
• The organisation of civil society.
• Changes of social consciousness and set of values.
• Inter-cultural comparative economic studies.
• Studies of the economy, of organisations and of the sociology of labour.
• Study of the spatial structure and systems of settlements of the society.
• The study of the economic, political and cultural factors influencing the emergence of regions.
• Study of the systems of the social production and distribution of knowledge (science, innovation, technology, communications), the analysis of the development of information society.
• Study of welfare policies.
• Study of problems of aging.
• Researches into environmental sociology, eco-politics and health care.
• Study of social movements, etc.

Research areas