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.