The Collective for Social Science Research is a private organisation dedicated to high quality research in the social sciences in Pakistan and other countries. It was set up in December 2001 in Karachi by a small group of young social scientists with the express aim of carrying out innovative work on economic, social and political aspects of development.
The lead researchers in the Collective are Haris Gazdar, Asad Sayeed, and Ayesha Khan. They bring together research experience and interests in a number of distinctive but related areas including economics, political economy, conflict, gender studies, reproductive health, and sociology. Additionally, the Collective regularly associates with other leading social scientists in Pakistan in diverse disciplines such as strategic studies, cultural studies and history. The lead researchers are assisted by a team of skilled junior researchers who specialise in fielding qualitative and quantitative surveys in urban as well as rural areas of Pakistan. In addition there is capacity and experience within the Collective to undertake statistical analysis.