Affiliated to IESR, the Survey Data Center (SDC) is a leading survey center in China. It uses state-of-the-art methods and technologies to collect several primary datasets and help IESR faculties with fieldwork. SDC has more than 20 fulltime staff members allocated in six departments: Survey Operation, Quality Control, Data Analysis, IT Support, Business Affairs, and Administration. Many SDC staff members graduated from acclaimed universities such as the University of Michigan, Boston University and Peking University.

Currently, SDC undertakes several projects focusing on major socioeconomic issues in China, including (1) rural development (Thousand–Village Survey in Guangdong), (2) the well-being of rural migrants (Rural-Urban Migration in China, RUMiC; Guangdong Migration Survey, GMS), (3) the development of left-behind children (Longitudinal Study of Children’s Development in Mianzhu, LSCD), (4) the development of manufacturing industries (Guangdong Manufacturing Firm Survey, GDMFS), and (5) the employment situation (China Household Employment Survey, CHES).  

SDC has cooperated with various Chinese government departments to work on joint projects, partnering with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the National Health Commission, the Quality and Technical Supervision Bureau of Guangdong Province, the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, and the Education Bureau of Mianzhu City. SDC has also joined the Survey Association with other universities (i.e. Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Zhejiang University, etc.) for the purpose of carrying out large-scale surveys such as the China Household Employment Survey. Cooperation with government and universities facilitates SDC’s capacity to conduct large-scale surveys throughout China.