Since 2012, Matteo Agnoletto has been coordinator of the 'Ricerca Emilia' Laboratory, set up by the Department of Architecture following the earthquake that struck the region. The research group is committed to studying the rural territory and practices for environmentally conscious regeneration. Among other activities, it organised the photo exhibition 'Giovanni Chiaramonte. Interno perduto' that was held at the University of Potsdam, at the Festival of Philosophy in Modena, the FAI national headquarters in Milan, the Faculty of Architecture in Cesena, Rocca di Vignola castle, and the Hochschule university in Munich. He also curated the exhibition 'Architectures of the Po Valley' dedicated to the areas affected by the earthquake. The 'Ricerca Emilia' Laboratory has developed a series of studies on the rural heritage of the municipality of Cavezzo, for the design of the San Biagio parish area, and for the Museum of Agriculture in Gavello.
Since 2020, he has been the scientific head of G124, a working group chaired by Senator for life Renzo Piano to work on the 'mending of the suburbs'. The two operational units - the 'Ricerca Emilia' Laboratory and G124 - carry out coordinated activities throughout the Emilia-Romagna Region.