The mission of Editions EHESS is to enliven public and intellectual debate by publishing innovative works in human science, whether they be first publications or works by accomplished researchers, whether from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales or other horizons in France and abroad. Their ingenuity, high scientific standards and reflexivity make these books tools for reflection that, unconstrained by the fleeting pace of current events, contribute to producing the knowledge needed to understand today's world.

The Editions EHESS backlist comprises some 900 titles in history, art history, anthropology, sociology, economics, psychology, geography, linguistics and semiotics. On average, about twenty-five new titles are added every year. Publications are organised within nine living collections:

- “Audiography”: the voice of social sciences

- “Cahiers de l’Homme”: focuses on anthropology,

- “En temps & lieux”: presents works of basic research,

- “Cas de figure”: provides the reader with accessible keys to a better understanding of today's world without jettisoning the scientific requirements,

- “L’histoire et ses représentations”: dedicated to art history and theory,

- “Mètis". Anthropologie des mondes grecs anciens: copublished by the Greek publishing house Daedalus,

- “Enquête”: brings great disciplines in the human sciences head to head,

- “Raisons pratiques”: tackles current issues in social and political theory (analysis of action and the collective),

- “EHESS-Translation”: a new collection presenting great social science texts that have been translated into French and introduced by researchers.

Two copublished collections, namely “Hautes Études”, which presents, in particular, Michel Foucault's lectures, and “Contextes”, which stands at the crossroads of philosophical and social science knowledge.

Editions EHESS publishes seven journals of international influence that contribute to disseminating social science news and debates, among them Annales (annals) and L’Homme (humankind).