Since its inception, PPRC has been at the forefront of research and policy advocacy on poverty, social protection, land, inclusive growth, governance, local governance, political development, quality, basic education and sustainable urbanization. Its core themes reflect current and emerging priorities of Bangladesh. The Centre maintains a strong interest in regional and international discourses on democracy and development.

Activities of the Centre encompass policy research, project evaluations, quality statistics, discourse promotion, policy advocacy, grassroot and policy networking, and rapid response initiatives on issues of national urgency. PPRC implements its activities through a core staff inclusive of an in-house field research capacity and a network of resource persons under the leadership of its Founder and Chairman Hossain Zillur Rahman.