Founded in 1988 by Henri Mendras, the OSC is at the same time:

• A Center for Basic Research: Research into the overall dynamics of contemporary societies is organized along four major themes: social stratification and inter-generational relations, spatial dimension of inequality, lifestyles and deviant behaviour, policy and educational dynamics.

• A Center for Comparative Study: The methodology used, at once qualitative and quantitative, brings into play different levels of
observation – local, regional, national and international.

• A Center for Education and Doctoral Research, involved at all academic levels of study programs at Sciences Po – the IEP degree program, the PhD Program in Sociology.

• A Center with a wide international network of partnerships.