The IRIS research team, backed by internationally renowned expertise, produces research papers and reports for a wide variety of customers (French government ministries, international institutions, and businesses with international operations or keen to develop their exports).  IRIS is in a position to form multidisciplinary research teams to cater for their customer requirements. Alongside its commissioned research, IRIS runs established multiyear research programmes on behalf of international organisations.

Long-standing collaboration with the public sector

From its inception, IRIS has conducted studies or organised conferences for government bodies in the field of international and strategic issues : French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN), etc. Its experts frequently speak at Parliamentary Commission hearings for the French Senate and National Assembly, or the European Parliament. In the early 2000s, this activity was extended to international institutions and in particular the European Union (European Commission, European Parliament, European Defence Agency, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, etc.).

Consulting studies and notes

Consulting studies are carried out at the request of national and international institutions. They provide help to decision making for public authorities in a wide variety of areas (security issues, regional issues, sporting regulations) and recommendations for the future. Consulting work can be produced by IRIS alone or in collaboration with other, foreign think tanks based in Europe and worldwide.

Studies for public institutions that have been cleared for publication are published on the IRIS website. All consulting studies and notes can be viewed in our annual reports.

International meetings

Several times a year, IRIS organises high-level meetings that bring together political and economic leaders and international experts, at its own initiative or at the request of public institutions. These meetings held in France or abroad are designed to foster dialogue among decision-makers and compare their viewpoints in an informal discussion setting.

Regular gatherings and ad hoc meetings can be organised on request.

The regular meetings include various bilateral gatherings: Franco-German (Cercle stratégique franco-allemand), Franco-Turkish, Franco-Russian, and Franco-Egyptian.

IRIS, an international think tank

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, there is growing pressure on think tanks to join international research networks. IRIS has forged a wide variety of international collaborative partnerships with other think tanks, which enable it to share analyses, undertake joint research and receive invaluable help with understanding foreign political and diplomatic trends.

Geared to meet the needs of the private sector

To help businesses make sense of complex environments and more effectively expand their international footprint, IRIS offers expertise tailored to businesses’ short, medium and long-term strategies. IRIS offers a range of services that cater to businesses’ needs. This might involve producing analysis notes, organising forums or seminars gathering high-level economic and political decision-makers, or vocational training sessions for high-potential employees or company officers in large multinationals. We take great care over the quality of our analyses, which are aimed at meeting our customers’ operational requirements.

This expertise can also be provided in the form of training or preparation seminars for companies’ senior managers, prior to an expatriate assignment.

The services designed for the private sector

IRIS can deliver its analysis in a range of formats:

• consulting notes (a concise format available on very short notice to provide insight into a one-off decision)
• strategic studies (in-depth, multi-sector analysis of a geostrategic issue with a view to medium to long-term international development)

Our experts produce operational analyses on topics such as geostrategic issues; identification of the key stakeholders and influence networks; economic, social and political outlook and risks; the regulatory environment; and diplomatic strategies. They are powerful decision Tools.

• organisation of select committee meetings, during which one or more IRIS researchers contribute their expertise on the areas or topics specified. IRIS systematically adapts to its customer’s specific request and advises it on the factors to take into account in its international decision making.

Bespoke vocational training

For over 10 years, IRIS has been running futher education courses on its campus aimed at a broad audience. These courses are designed to help raise business and government awareness of major international issues. The courses can be taken as part of a continuing professional development programme, since IRIS has been accredited by the French Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue. View our vocational training programmes.

IRIS has also developed specific bespoke training courses run on customer premises. These training programs are put together in partnership with the companies’ human resources departments and international departments, and are designed to provide operational solutions to more or less urgent needs.