The XISR (formerly known as Social Science Centre), was inaugurated in 1980, with the objective of focusing on regional and applied research on issues of social concern. It works in collaboration with the Social Science departments of the College to provide an effective research and out-reach programme.

The Purpose of the Centre is to stimulate and coordinate the institutional resources of the College and to challenge faculties and students, who have serious educational interests and genuine social concerns, to the kind of involvement that is academically relevant and socially committed.

The areas of activity of the Centre follow from and further define, the purpose expressed above. The first is research and study, the main thrust of the Centre being towards applied research focusing on issues of social concern. The second area is extension service and training, consequent to the kind of applied research done above, as preparation for or as a follow up to the particular projects undertaken.

1. The Centre would be a regional research unit that would attempt to meet the social science research needs of the agencies working in Maharashtra, especially the Jesuits, the local Church and other social action agencies in the State, in that order of priority. Studies done by the Centre would have a national aspect to it provided that this did not compromise its regional character as defined above.
2. The Centre would do applied research that would be need based, problem-oriented and which would moreover, strive for a conceptual and theoretical understanding of the basic issues involved.
3. The Centre would focus on issues of social concern not just in terms of interests, but also of long-term relevance.
4. The Centre would try to draw faculty and students of the college into its work, without however, compromising its research goals or programmes.

Publications By Fr. Anthony Dias sj. (Director)
"Amnesty International and the Human Rights NGO Movement", "The Right to Development" and "The Right to a Clean Environment" in Human Rights, Constitution and the Law released by Justice Sabarwal, the Chief Justice of the Mumbai High Court on 23 March, 1999, Editor Dr. Chitnis, Snow White Publication, Parel, March 99.

Some studies published by the former Director, Fr. Rudolf C. Heredia s.j.
Religious and Social Change: Behavioural Responses in Bombay University, Indian Social Institute, Monograph Series, New Delhi, 1984.
Settlements and Shelter: Alternative Housing for the Urban Poor in Bombay, Committee for the Right to Housing, Bombay, 1985, pp. 44. Also published by I.S.I., New Delhi, in their Monograph Series No. 26, 1986.
Voluntary Action and Development: Towards a Praxis for Non-Government Agencies, Concept Pub., New Delhi, 1988, pp. 96.
Urban Housing and Voluntary Agencies: Case Studies in Bombay, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, 1989, pp. 72,Rs. 100.
Tribal Education for Community Development: A study of Schooling in the Talasari Mission Area, Concept Pub. N. Delhi, 1992.
Tribal Identity and Minority Status: The Kathkari Nomads in Transition, (with Rahul Srivastava) Concept Pub. N.Delhi, 1994.
Secularism and Liberation: Perspectives and strategies for India Today, edited with Edward Mathias, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, 1995.
The Family in a Changing World, edited with Edward Mathias, Indian Social Institute, N.Delhi, Oct 1995.
"The Anglican Ethic and the Spirit of Imperialism", Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 33, No. 45., 7 November 98, pp. 2841 -8.
Book review Providence and the Raj: Imperial Mission and Missionary Imperialism, by Gerald Studden-Kennedy, Sage Publications, New Delhi, London, 1998.
"The Recent Atrocities Against Christians: Suggestion for an Intra-religious Dialogue", Guest Editorial, Vidyajyoti: Journal of Theological Reflection, Vol.63, No.2, February 1999, pp. 81-83.
"The Ethics of Ecological Debt", Times of India, 20 March 99, p. 13.