Founded in 2004, the Social Development Research Center of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (hereinafter referred to as the "Center") stands as a pioneering and influential research institute of applied sociology among the higher education institutions in Henan. In 2009, the Center was approved as a key research base for humanities and social sciences of higher education institutions in Henan Province. Rooted in the actual needs of socio-economic development in Henan, the Center devotes itself to the research and consulting services on social development issues. It has formed three full-fledged and robust research focuses with distinctive features, namely research on urban and rural community development, social work and policies, and social welfare and assistance.

Backed by sociology, a provincial key discipline, the Center has consolidated the distinguished faculty resources spanning sociology, management, law, etc., thereby establishing a high-caliber academic team spearheaded by professors and doctoral candidates. The Center boasts 28 full-time and part-time researchers, including 24 researchers and six professors with doctoral degrees. By leveraging its broad academic vision and strong research force, the highly-educated and well-structured research team has taken the lead in the academia in Henan and exerted a notable influence in the same research field nationwide.

Relying on its holistic research expertise, the Center spares no effort to solve major theoretical and practical issues in social development of the country, particularly Henan, yielding a host of high-level scientific research results. Over the past few years, researchers of the Center have published more than 150 high-quality academic papers and over 20 academic monographs, and undertaken 16 national and 60 provincial and ministerial scientific research projects. Meanwhile, the Center has established steady cooperative relationships with relevant government departments and operational departments at the provincial and municipal levels, and provided them with consulting services and professional training, generating tangible social benefits.