On 14 May 2010, the Department of Economic Science at the University of Bologna announced a tender for the allocation of a year-long research grant financed by Hera S.p.A. as part of the “Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and market competition" project. The aim of the project is to apply economic analytical tools in the study of companies that adopt CSR policies.
The project will launch on 1 September 2010, and will last 12 months.

A four-year agreement between Hera S.p.A., the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and Fondazione Alma Mater of Bologna was signed in September 2009. Through awards, a research grant and the financing of new research, the Group promotes training in the areas of high level technical/scientific expertise and the development of applied research in the Department of Engineering at Modena. The study activities are designed to improve the functioning of electric and thermal energy production plants, waste-to-energy plant emission purification systems, and the quality and safety of electricity distribution networks.

Hera SpA and the University of Bologna – Department of Chemical and Mineral Engineering and Environmental Technologies have launched a joint research on the “Minimisation of waste production with the focus on operational projects in accordance with major retail”.
The aim of the project is the identification and development of new strategies for the prevention of waste production. The project complies with the priorities established by the European Directive on waste management, in the order: prevention, preparation for reuse, recycling, recovery and correct disposal. The project, which will last two years, launched on 1 June 2010.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Department provides continuous support for the study and investigation of issues relating to corporate social responsibility by contributing to degree theses.  As part of the specific agreements with the universities involved, students are able to benefit from the materials and experience of the Group:  internal experts participate in the process, usually taking on the role of co-examiner Recent theses include:

• Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia – Faculty of Letters and Philosophy - 2007/08 – Supervisor Prof Marina Vignola – The social report as a tool for communicating corporate social responsibility:   the example of Hera (candidate Elena Brunelli)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Engineering - 2007/08 – Supervisor Prof. Alessandra Bonoli – Energy saving: from mobility management actions to Energy Efficiency Credits. the example of Hera (candidate Elodia Mozzoni)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Engineering - 2007/08 – Supervisor Prof. Alessandra Bonoli - LCA of water for domestic use to identify energy savings: the Hera s.p.a Hera₂O project (candidate Alessandro Nogarino)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Engineering - 2006/08 – Supervisor Prof. Alessandra Bonoli – Environmental sustainability. The example of Hera Bologna for the application of best practices in the management of the home-work movements of employees and an estimate of the reduction of the main pollutants since 2003.  (candidate Francesco Jaffei)
• Università LUISS – Faculty of Economics – Supervisor Prof. Giovanni Liberatore – The Balanced Scorecard as a strategic management system. The Hera Group case. (candidate Domenico Palestini)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Economics and Commerce - 2005/06 – Comparison of the sustainability reports of various multiutilities (candidate Alessia Pescari)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Engineering – 2005/2006 - Supervisor Prof. Andrea Zanoni  – The Balanced Scorecard as a strategic management system for a socially responsible business. the Hera S.p.A case (candidate Italo Di Giuseppe)
• Milan Polytechnic – Faculty of Engineering – Supervisor Prof. Paolo Maccarrone  – Models for the management of corporate social responsibility: Empirical analysis of the solutions adopted by major not-for-profit companies (candidates Matteo Pistoletti and Giorgio Tosi)
• University of Bologna – Faculty of Engineering - 2004/05 – Supervisor Prof. Alessandra Bonoli - Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility and social responsibility management systems with mapping of stakeholders. Sustainability Report study and development of community overview at Hera Bologna S.r.l. (candidate Barbara D'Addezio)