It is the only one to combine a research centre and an educational institution awarding degrees, through its school, IRIS Sup’. This model contributes to its national and international appeal.

Founded in 1991 as a non-profit association under the French 1901 law, IRIS has gradually established its influence in the fields of expertise and the facilitation of debates on international relations, leading to its recognition as a public utility in 2009. Geopolitical issues, which require expertise based on global and cross-cutting analytical frameworks, allow the Institute to engage with political and economic decision-makers, institutions, civil society organisations, and academic circles. IRIS is also convinced that these are civic issues that should be accessible to the general public.

At the same time, its media activity, dynamism on the internet and social media, as well as the numerous events organised by IRIS, enable it to fully participate in debates on international and strategic issues, while also addressing the public’s need for analysis and understanding.

Chronologie

  • 1991

    Creation of IRIS, the result of a private initiative

  • 2002

    Launch of IRIS Sup’, the IRIS school

  • 2009

    IRIS recognised as a public interest organisation

  • 2013

    IRIS establishes its own conference space

  • 2017

    IRIS Sup’ training programmes gain State recognition

  • 80

    affiliated researchers

    • 11 research programmes
    • 13 observatories
  • 613

    written and audiovisual productions per year

    • Around thirty strategic reports and studies
    • 2 strategic yearbooks
    • 1 quarterly journal
    • 146 observatory reports
    • 437 electronic publications
    • Over 3000 media appearances
  • 69

    events per year

    • Symposium
    • Seminar
    • Public debate conference
  • +560

    people trained per year

    • 225 apprentices
    • 50 nationalities
    • 180 high-level professionals delivering courses
    • +250 public and private partner organisations

Research

Recognised for its expertise both nationally and internationally, the IRIS research team provides services in the form of studies, analytical reports, and consultancy for national public or private clients, as well as international organisations. These services may lead to collaborations with foreign think tanks, institutions, or businesses. IRIS’s expertise is structured around specific research programmes and observatories.

The research team covers both regional areas and cross-cutting issues, allowing for the formation of multidisciplinary teams for each study. It is made up of a permanent research team and a national and international network of around sixty affiliated researchers, who combine analysis and foresight. Their rigor and expertise lead them to publish in renowned outlets and to be invited to speak at numerous conferences in France and abroad, as well as in the media. Researchers are free and responsible for their writings and statements, as IRIS does not hold an official position (see the Institute’s ethical charter).

IRIS has established numerous international collaborations with other think tanks, allowing for the sharing of analyses, joint research and events, and providing excellent channels for understanding political and diplomatic developments abroad.

IRIS, due to its diverse range of interventions, has also been able to establish partnerships with a variety of organisations.

Publications

IRIS Editions encompasses the Institute’s various publications:

  • L’Année Stratégique, an annual reference yearbook on international relations.
  • La Revue Internationale et Stratégique, a quarterly journal addressing major international debates.
  • Since 2019, Le Déméter, an annual publication focusing on the strategic issues of agriculture and food.

Furthermore, IRIS offers a wide range of digital content on its website, including policy papers, current affairs analyses, and written and video interviews. The institute is also very active on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram) and has developed its own YouTube channel.

Event Organisation

IRIS organises around sixty events per year, both in France and abroad. These events cater to different audiences:

  • Public symposiums and debate conferences on current international and strategic issues.
  • Major annual events such as the Géopolitiques de Nantes and the Internationales de Dijon, organised in partnership with cities.
  • Events reserved for a more specialised and restricted audience.

These events bring together a diverse range of participants (political and economic decision-makers, military personnel, diplomats, journalists, experts, academics, NGOs), allowing for in-depth analysis and discussions while respecting differing opinions.

Training

IRIS has structured its offerings around its applied geopolitics school, IRIS Sup’, which provides State-recognised training programmes leading to two Level 7 (master’s degree equivalent) titles registered in the French National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP). These programmes are available both in-person and online:

  • International Strategy Analyst (Analyste en stratégie internationale), with three pathways:
    • Geopolitics and Foresight
    • Defence, Security, and Crisis Management
    • Geoeconomics and Risk Management
  • International Programme Manager – Humanitarian and Development (Manager de programmes internationaux – Humanitaire et Développement), with three pathways:
  • Strategic
  • Operational
  • Advocacy and Influence Communication.

The school also offers short online training programmes for professionals, targeting specific sectors and skills: Geostrategic Issues of Energy and Cyber Defence and Cybersecurity Analysis.

Customised operational training programmes can also be organised within companies or other organisations, tailored to their specific needs.

Focus