The department develops and improves theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of ethnic and national processes. Given the current trends in the development of the humanities and social sciences, the department's researchers focus on building interdisciplinary approaches, involving theories from various fields of social knowledge (sociology, ethnology, political science, history, etc.). The Department's researchers develop topics related to various socio-philosophical and general theoretical issues of the ethno-national sphere, with a comparative analysis of approaches to its study developed by domestic and foreign researchers.

Researchers of the department prepare scientific and advisory materials for the state authorities of Ukraine, in particular, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, the National Institute for Strategic Studies, etc. The Department's staff also participates in the preparation of proposals and recommendations for the development of state programs, strategies and development concepts, etc.; they are published in the national media, appear on TV and radio programs on topical issues of ethnic and national processes research.

The main area of research of the department is "Social philosophy, philosophy of history and philosophy of ethnicity".
In this fundamental area, the department carries out research, scientific, organizational, training and educational activities, in particular:

• writing and publishing monographic works, articles, textbooks, lecture courses, brochures, collections of scientific papers, etc;
• organizing and holding national and international conferences, round tables, seminars, symposia, etc;
• teaching activities - lecturing courses and special courses in higher education institutions of Ukraine;
• conducting expert activities - preparing methodological and recommendation materials for public authorities, including the Verkhovna Rada committees, the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, the Ministry of Science and Education, etc;
• Participation in public organizations, working groups, and councils under the President of Ukraine and relevant ministries (culture, education, and science, etc.);
• participation in writing and popularizing the annual National Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
• publicistic activity - publishing articles in the media, appearances on television and radio on topical issues of philosophy.