# Centre for Research and Teaching in Environmental Geoscience

> facility in Aix-en-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q51781308](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51781308)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-research-and-teaching-in-environmental-geoscience

## Summary
The Centre for Research and Teaching in Environmental Geoscience (CEREGE) is a research institute and laboratory located in Aix-en-Provence, France. Founded in 1995, it operates as a joint research unit (UMR 7330) under the supervision of five major French institutions, including the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Aix-Marseille University.

## Key Facts
- **Full Name:** Centre for Research and Teaching in Environmental Geoscience
- **Short Name/Acronym:** CEREGE
- **Also Known As:** Centre Européen de Recherche et d'Enseignement des Géosciences de l'Environnement
- **Entity Type:** Research institute, facility, laboratory
- **Location:** Europôle Méditerranéen, Aix-en-Provence, France (Postal Code: 13545)
- **Coordinates:** 43.491274°N, 5.333269°E
- **Inception:** 1995
- **CNRS Research Group ID:** UMR7330
- **Website:** https://www.cerege.fr (Available in French and English)
- **Parent Organizations:**
    - National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
    - Aix-Marseille University
    - French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD)
    - Collège de France
    - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE)
- **Current Director:** Lucilla Benedetti (Term started 2024)
- **Identifiers:**
    - GRID ID: grid.498067.4
    - ROR ID: 01pa4h393
    - ISNI: 0000000108454216
    - Ringgold ID: 55135
    - VIAF ID: 138703726
    - HAL Structure ID: 1002357
    - IdRef: 11200573X
    - French National Research Structure ID: 201220322S

## FAQs
### What is the primary function of CEREGE?
CEREGE is a research institute and laboratory dedicated to environmental geoscience. As a specialized facility, its primary purpose is to conduct systematic investigation and generate new knowledge, distinguishing it from teaching-focused universities or policy-focused think tanks.

### Where is CEREGE located?
The facility is situated in the Europôle Méditerranéen district of Aix-en-Provence, France. It is geographically identified by the coordinates 43.491274 latitude and 5.333269 longitude.

### Who oversees the operations of CEREGE?
The institute operates as a collaborative effort among five major entities: the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Aix-Marseille University, the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, the Collège de France, and the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment.

### Who has led CEREGE since its founding?
Since its inception in 1995, CEREGE has been directed by several scientists, including Daniel B. Nahon (1995–1997), Bruno Hamelin (1999–2007), Nicolas Thouveny (2010–2017), and Olivier Bellier (2018–2023). Lucilla Benedetti began her tenure as director in 2024.

## Why It Matters
CEREGE represents a critical infrastructure for advancing human knowledge in the field of environmental geoscience. As a dedicated research institute, it serves as an engine of discovery free from the teaching obligations that typically divide university researchers' attention. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, the organization accelerates breakthroughs and allows scientists to pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within standard corporate or university timelines. In an era where innovation addresses global challenges like climate change, CEREGE plays a vital role in understanding environmental systems and geoscience dynamics.

## Notable For
- **Multi-Institutional Collaboration:** Operating as a joint unit (UMR 7330) supported by five distinct major research and academic bodies.
- **Dedicated Research Focus:** Existing specifically to generate knowledge through systematic investigation, distinct from universities that balance teaching and research.
- **Longevity:** Continuous operation since 1995 with a structured timeline of leadership succession.
- **Global Identification:** Recognized across multiple international knowledge systems, including Ringgold, ISNI, and VIAF.

## Body

### Organizational Structure and Oversight
CEREGE is structured as a research institute and laboratory (UMR7330) rather than a membership-based society or a policy think tank. It functions as a distinct operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. The institute is jointly supervised by five parent organizations:
*   National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)
*   Aix-Marseille University
*   French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development
*   Collège de France
*   National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

### Location and Facilities
The facility is physically located in Aix-en-Provence, France. Its specific address is within the Europôle Méditerranéen (Postal Code 13545). The geographic coordinates for the facility are recorded as 43.491274 latitude and 5.333269 longitude. Another contact reference suggests coordinates 43.30503 latitude and 5.378175 longitude.

### History and Leadership
The institute was established in 1995. Its leadership history is documented as follows:
*   **1995–1997:** Daniel B. Nahon
*   **1997–1998:** Q133788487 (Wikidata ID)
*   **1999–2007:** Bruno Hamelin
*   **2008–2009:** Jean-Yves Bottero
*   **2010–2017:** Nicolas Thouveny
*   **2018–2023:** Olivier Bellier
*   **2024–Present:** Lucilla Benedetti

### Identification and Classification
CEREGE is classified under several international authority files and library cataloging systems. It holds the Library of Congress-linked VIAF ID 138703726 and is indexed in the German National Library (GND). In global research databases, it is identified by the GRID ID `grid.498067.4` and ROR ID `01pa4h393`. The organization is also assigned the French National Research Structure ID `201220322S` and the HAL Structure ID `1002357`. Its official website, `https://www.cerege.fr`, serves as the primary portal for French and English audiences.

## References

1. GRID Release 2018-08-27
2. IdRef
3. [Source](https://www.cerege.fr/fr/le-cerege/notre-organisation/frise-temporelle-cerege/)
4. [Source](https://www.cerege.fr/fr/contact/)
5. French National Directory of Research Structures
6. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
7. HAL