His research activity focuses on climate change, estimation of project variables and the development of schemes and theoretical principles for designing infrastructures for river basin management and the mitigation of natural hazards. He authored more than 100 scientific papers published in international journals. He is a consultant for public bodies for environmental restoration and mitigation of flood risk.

Alberto Montanari has been awarder the Union Service Award by the European Geosciences Union, the fellowship by the American Geophysical Union, the Darcy Medal by the European Geosciences Union , the William Kaula Award by the American Geophysical Union and the Dooge Medal by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences/UNESCO/WMO. He has been editor for several scientific jouirnals.