About us
The European Centre for Research and Information on Brotherism (CERIF) is a French centre that produces rigorous analyses designed to inform public debate, train practitioners in the field and document developments in brotherism in democracies around the world.
The President
Dr. Florence Bergeaud-Blackler
Florence Bergeaud-Blackler holds a PhD in anthropology and is a research fellow at the CNRS (HDR). For thirty years, she has been interested in Islamic normativities in secularised societies and in particular in brotherism. She is the author of dozens of academic articles and books, including "Le brotherism et ses réseaux, l'enquête" (Odile Jacob, 2023) and "Jihad through the Market: How Radical Islam is Taking Over the Halal Market" (Odile Jacob, 2025), which have been translated into several languages. She acts as a consultant for public and private organisations and gives regular lectures. She is also a member of the Strategic Committee of the Centre for Reflection on Internal Security, Paris (CRSI). In 2024, she was appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honour.
To be continued
Keep up to date with Florence Bergeaud-Blackler
Articles, lectures, interviews and media appearances: find all his latest contributions on his personal website.
See their latest newsThe experts
A network of experts to document brotherism and combat forms of Islamist influence within organisations, working closely with those on the ground and with the public.
Ferghane Azihari
Essayist – Public policy analyst
Joe Adam George
National security researcher
Maître Lara Fatimi
Solicitor
Dr. Leonardo Orlando
Political scientist – Cognitive sciences
Dr. Médéric Chapitaux
Sociologist
Michel Fayad
Geopolitical analyst
Mohamed Louizi
Engineer / Essayist
Dr. Tommaso Virgili
Lawyer
Dr. Yana Grinshpun
Linguist
The Strategic and Policy Committee
The CERIF Strategic and Advisory Board is independent. It provides strategic recommendations and helps to define priorities for research and initiatives.
Thibault de MONTBRIAL
Maître Thibault de Montbrial is President of the CRSI (Centre for Reflection on Internal Security), a member of the ADAP and the contact group for Lawyers for Victims of Terrorism. He specialises in defending internal security forces. A former marine infantry paratrooper and an officer in the Gendarmerie’s operational reserve.
Béatrice BRUGÈRE
Béatrice Brugère is a magistrate and former anti-terrorism judge specialising in organised crime cases. She trained at the INHEJS and the École de Guerre. Author of "How to Defeat Islamism" (2022) and "Justice: The Rising Anger" (2024).
Général Bruno CLERMONT
General Bruno Clermont is a graduate of the Canadian War College, the NATO Defence College, the CHEM and the IHEDN. He regularly appears in the media to analyse conflicts in the Middle East.
Renée FREGOSI
Renée Fregosi holds a PhD in Philosophy and Political Science. She is a retired lecturer at Paris-Sorbonne-Nouvelle University. She is President of CECIEC. She is the author of *Fifty Shades of Dictatorship* (Éditions de l'Aube, 2023).
Gilles BAZAILLE
Gilles Bazaille has been a co-founder and partner at Aklea since 2009, specialising in tax and finance. As an active member of the EM Lyon incubator, he supports start-ups and innovative businesses.