CERI (Centro di Ricerca Previsione, Prevenzione e Controllo dei Rischi Geologici – Centre for Research on Prediction, Prevention, and Mitigation of Geological Risks) was established under decree no. 00353 issued by the Rector of Sapienza University on 31July 2003 (after approval by the Academic Senate on 24 April 2003 and the Board of Governors on 22 July 2003). In its sitting on 29 March 2011, the Academic Senate renewed the duration of CERI, whose by-laws were adapted to the new by-laws of Sapienza University.
CERI promotes, coordinates, and carries out research on geological risks (landslides, floods, pollution, seismic and volcanic risks), and on remediation of contaminated sites, experimenting with the development of innovative methodologies.

To achieve its aims, CERI is engaged in:

• experimental (laboratory and field) and theoretical research on landslide hazards and risks;
• experimental (laboratory and field) and theoretical research on flood hazards and risks;
• experimental (laboratory and field) and theoretical research on pollution hazards and risks, and on remediation of contaminated of sites and large aquifer systems used as a source of drinking water (including those whose contamination is due to flooding);
• experimental (laboratory and field) and theoretical research on seismic hazards and risks;
• experimental and theoretical research to develop systems for monitoring natural events related to hydrogeological and seismic risks (including civil protection early warning and alarm systems);
• issuing guidelines and operational standards, both based on research results and having an innovative nature within the national reference legislative/regulatory framework;
• creating specific post-graduate courses at both national and international level, including research PhD programmes and post-doctoral fellowships, funded from autonomous sources;
• scientific dissemination through publications, meetings, and conferences at both national and international level;
• development of IT methodologies for building thematic maps;
• provision of consulting services under agreements and/or other arrangements, in accordance with Sapienza University Regulations, and of technical–scientific assistance in the field of geological risks to public administration bodies, local and regional governments, the European Union, other national and international entities and organisations, and other public and  rivate entities;
• creation and publication of its own scientific journal.