The mission of the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study is "to advance the knowledge frontiers of pure and applied social science, by using and developing computational and interdisciplinary approaches that yield new insights into the fundamental nature of social phenomena at all levels of social complexity-from cognitive networks to the world system."

"Pure and applied social science" means both theoretical science and policy analysis. The Center subscribes to the philosophy of exploiting synergistic interactions between purely theoretical and applied policy research. Pure research and problem-oriented research can often profit from each other. The benefits of the pure-applied synergy have been amply demonstrated in the history of the social sciences (e.g., learning, human factors, organizations, governance, conflict resolution, peacekeeping), as well as in the life sciences and the physical sciences.

The Center for Social Complexity at George Mason University aspires to contribute as a scholarly collaboratory of excellence, discovery, and invention, pursuing the highest standards, and functioning as an active, cutting-edge leader and participant in the emerging international computational social science community.