The focus of the scientific activity of the Strata Mechanics Research Institute is basic, cognitive, and applied research. In large part, it is still related to the current scientific issues concerning mining, especially in the field of mining safety engineering and the impact of mining activity on the natural environment.

The Institute is constantly developing measurement methods, and, being in possession of some unique equipment, is also carrying out experimental research in laboratories and on real objects, as well as numerical experiments. The knowledge gained thereby, together with unique measuring devices and highly qualified staff, made it possible to establish the Calibration Laboratory for Ventilation Measuring Instruments, which, in 2008, received the accreditation no. AP 118.

The Institute's scope of research includes some problems that so far have not been satisfactorily solved, such as the methods of controlling rocks and gas outbursts, methods of forecasting the process of ventilation in complex network structures and in the porous medium, or investigating the physical properties of rocks with fluid-filled pores.