The Institute’s mission is to address contemporary challenges in dealing with pressures and threats stemming from:
- the fact that the Ionian region is the most seismically active area in the Mediterranean and Europe,
- the increasingly frequent occurrence of natural disasters of all types (landslides, floods, fires, etc.) in the country and particularly in the Ionian Islands,
- the fact that this geographical area experiences extreme meteorological phenomena such as Mediterranean cyclones and tornadoes,
- the lack of a systematic research and development framework within the academic community for the collection of systematic data on natural hazards in the Ionian region, an existing research structure dedicated exclusively and comprehensively to the field of natural hazards, and
- the fact that the Ionian University possesses academic resources, both in terms of human capital and infrastructure, that can support the existence of such a research body, and which are currently dispersed across more than one department of the University, thus meeting the aforementioned need for interdisciplinarity and cross-departmental collaboration.
For the reasons mentioned above, it aims to:
- conducting basic and applied research and transferring know-how and technology in scientific fields related to Natural Hazards,
- conducting studies and participating in the implementation of research projects and programs,
- utilizing research results for the benefit of society and the country by mitigating the consequences of natural and/or technological disasters, which affect both the human population and the sectors of the economy, development, and the environment, and on the quality of life in general,
- contributing to the training of young scientists,
- providing services to the public sector and its agencies, as well as to private entities upon their request (e.g., energy production and distribution companies, tourism businesses, etc.),
- undertaking consulting and development activities at the local, regional, and national levels,
- providing certification of products, services, and processes,
- effective interaction between research and education, participating in the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area, as well as training social groups and professional sectors on issues related to the prevention, protection, and response to natural hazards and/or technological disasters,
- dissemination of knowledge and promotion of its scientific and technological achievements,
- attracting scientists of recognized standing, reversing the brain drain, and strengthening the influx of new researchers,
- regional development and employment,
- contributing to the country’s social, economic, energy, and environmental policies.
