The Board of the HSRC refers to the group of up to ten people, including a Chairperson, appointed for a period of four years by the Minister of Science and Technology. Appointees have distinguished themselves in the field of the human sciences or possess special qualifications in relation to some aspect of the functions of the Board. The Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer of the HSRC and s/he serves as a further, ex officio member. The Board is the accounting authority of the organisation for purposes of the Public Finance Management Act.

Chairperson
Mrs Nasima Badsha
MSc University of Natal
Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC).  Previous positions held include: Deputy Director General in the former Department of Education (1997-2006); Advisor to Minister of Education (2006-2009); and Advisor to Minister of Science & Technology (2009-2012).  She was a member of the National Commission on Higher Education and has served on the Council on Higher Education and Board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.  Currently on the boards of TENET, Learning Trust and Institute for Justice and Reconciliation.