[2][3] Its purpose is to support an international, transdisciplinary academic community researching and teaching about surveillance in society.

[4][5] The SSN publishes the journal Surveillance & Society, holds biennial conferences, makes awards, and provides small research grants.

Current Directors include Azadeh Akbari, Fernanda Bruno, Julia Chan, David Murakami Wood, Bryce Newell, Joshua Reeves, and Gavin Smith.

[6] Previous Directors include Rosamunde van Brakel, Kirstie Ball, Stephen Graham, David Lyon, David Murakami Wood, Clive Norris, Emmeline Taylor, Nils Zurawski, Dean Wilson, Torin Monahan, and Pete Fussey.

The SSN regularly publishes The SSN awards a number of prizes and grants including In 2006, the Information Commissioner's Office in the United Kingdom contracted with the Surveillance Studies Network to produce “A Report on the Surveillance Society,” which was presented at the 28th International Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners' Conference in London.