François Déroche is a Professor at the Collège de France since 2015, holding the History of the Qurʾān, Text and Transmission chair. A renowned specialist in Arabic manuscripts, his work bridges codicology, Quranic textual history, and Islamic archaeology. Research focuses on Quranic manuscript transmission from Late Antiquity to the Umayyad dynasty Member of the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres (Institut de France) Expert in Arabic paleography and early Islamic book culture His recent lecture series The Medinese Koran (2025-2026) explores Quranic textual evolution through historical manuscripts. Publications emphasize material analysis of early Quranic codices and their socio-political contexts. Scientific Awards : Member of the Académie des inscriptions et belles-lettres Scientific Member of the Institut français d'études anatoliennes
Cristina Cerami is a Research Director (DR2) at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), affiliated with the SPHERE laboratory (UMR 7219) and the Center for the History of Arab and Medieval Sciences and Philosophies (CHSPAM). She holds leadership roles as Deputy Director of SPHERE, Director of CHSPAM, and head of multiple research axes including 'History of Philosophy from Antiquity to the Classical Age' and 'Metaphysics and Science'. She has been a prominent figure in the French academic research landscape since 2008. Her research interests lie at the intersection of philology and theoretical philosophy, focusing on ancient and medieval Arabic philosophies. She specializes in Aristotle, Averroes, and Greco-Arab peripateticism, with particular expertise in physics, cosmology, metaphysics, logic, and the theory of demonstration. Her methodological approach combines meticulous textual analysis with deep philosophical interpretation, emphasizing the interplay between logic, natural philosophy, and metaphysics in reconstructing Aristotelian and post-Aristotelian systems. The trends in her publications show a sustained focus on reconstructing the philosophical systems of Averroes and Avicenna through detailed commentary and comparative analysis. Her work frequently explores the transmission and interpretation of Aristotelian texts in the Arabic tradition, the epistemological foundations of demonstration, and the metaphysical implications of physical theories. She has contributed extensively to understanding the structure of Aristotelian natural philosophy and its reception across Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, and Latin traditions. Scientific Awards: Gilberto Bernardini Prize for best doctoral thesis (2006/2007) Emilio Bocca Prize for best doctoral thesis (2006/2007) Cerami has been actively involved in research leadership and academic service , coordinating international projects like PHYSIKA, serving on editorial boards of major journals including Arabic Sciences and Philosophy and Documenti e Studi sulla Tradizione Filosofica Medievale , and participating in numerous national selection committees. She has organized several international colloquia and seminars, demonstrating strong academic networking and community building. Her teaching includes lecturing at Sorbonne University and the University of Paris. She is also Deputy Secretary of SIHSPAI (International Society for the History of Arab and Islamic Sciences and Philosophy). Her work is supported by major research institutions and centers, including CNRS and international collaborations, reflecting her standing as a leading scholar in the history of Arabic and medieval philosophy.
Houmam Saad is a Syrian archaeologist and researcher affiliated with the École Pratique des Hautes Études - PSL , where he is supported by the PAUSE program. He previously led archaeological efforts in Syria as head of the Excavations and Archaeological Studies Department at the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums since 2019. His work focuses on Syrian cultural heritage, particularly in Damascus and Palmyra. Education: Master’s in Islamology from EPHE-PSL (2016), International Diploma in Heritage Studies (INP-Paris, 2012), PhD in Archaeology (Damascus, 2013). Dr. Saad’s research spans archaeology , cultural heritage preservation , and Digital Humanities , including 3D digitization and satellite-based damage monitoring. His current projects involve publishing 20 years of Damascus excavations, documenting conflict-related heritage loss, and teaching at the Master’s program in "History of Art and Archaeology." He has contributed to high-profile initiatives like the 3D digitization of Palmyra and the Krak des Chevaliers with ICONEM, showcased in exhibitions at the Grand Palais and Cité de l'Architecture. His scientific work emphasizes the universal value of cultural heritage amid war, regime changes, and looting. Scientific Awards: PAUSE fellowship (2025). Dr. Saad is actively involved in heritage safeguarding, leading the PROCLAC unit, and preparing publications on Byzantine mosaics and Crusades-era artifacts. He also trains students on conflict-induced challenges in archaeology.
Mathieu Tillier is a Professor of Medieval Islamic History at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sorbonne University. He specializes in early Islamic judicial systems, papyrology, and interfaith legal dynamics in the Middle East. Tillier holds a PhD from Université Lumière-Lyon 2 (2004) and has held academic positions at Aix-Marseille Université and Oxford University, supported by a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship. His research explores the evolution of Islamic legal institutions, particularly focusing on the role of qadis and the integration of religious minorities. Notably, he received the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (2023) for his groundbreaking work The Invention of the Qadi , which examines judicial pluralism in 8th-century Egypt. His research extends to Fatimid legal practices, early Quranic codices, and material culture analysis through papyrus and silk documents. Tillier collaborates extensively with institutions like the Institut français du Proche-Orient and co-authored studies on devotional texts and legal anthropology. His work bridges historical analysis with interdisciplinary methods, emphasizing textual and material evidence to reconstruct social dynamics in early Islamic empires. Education: PhD in History, Université Lumière-Lyon 2 (2004) Aggregation in Arab Studies (1999) Accreditation to Supervise Research (2013) Research Focus: Tillier’s work centers on the judicial reforms under Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, papyrus-based legal records, and the coexistence of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian legal frameworks. He has pioneered studies on Fatimid marriage contracts, Quranic codices, and the socio-political role of qadis in medieval Egypt. His methodologies integrate textual analysis, material science, and comparative legal history. Grants & Collaborations: Supported by European Marie Skłodowska-Curie grants, Tillier has collaborated with Oxford University and the Institut français du Proche-Orient. His recent projects include co-authoring analyses on devotional texts with Naïm Vanthieghem and examining ink composition in early Quranic manuscripts. Awards: The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (2023) recognizes his monumental contribution to understanding early Islamic judicial systems. His work has been translated into multiple languages, influencing global scholarship on medieval Islamic studies.
Saarthak Singh is a Lecturer at the École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) in Paris, specializing in South Asian art history. His research focuses on medieval Central India, examining architectural history, epigraphic practices, and cultural constructions of difference. He holds a PhD from New York University (2023) supervised by Finbarr Barry Flood, and previously trained at the University of St Andrews and SOAS. Before joining EFEO in 2024, he initiated a postdoctoral project at Ghent University (2023-2028) on architectural studies of coexistence and conflict supported by the Flanders Science Foundation. His research explores: Landscape and urban development in medieval Indian cities Epigraphic traditions and material culture of writing Architectural transformations of religious spaces Cross-cultural exchanges in pre-modern South Asia Talismanic objects and performative traditions Recent publications focus on Sultanate-era architecture, epigraphic practices, and cultural ecology, demonstrating consistent engagement with material culture and spatial politics in medieval South Asia. His work frequently employs interdisciplinary approaches combining art history, archaeology, and textual analysis. Awards include: Association of Art Historians Award (2015) UC Berkeley Dissertation Prize in Art History (2024) He co-directed a British Library-funded digitization project (2021-2023) on Sufi archives in Madhya Pradesh and teaches courses on Indian architecture, material culture, and pre-colonial history. Current research includes the Central India Research Group and Asia Registrations Online databases.
Anna Russakoff is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Art History and Fine Arts Department at the American University of Paris. She specializes in medieval illuminated manuscripts, particularly Gothic works and the iconography of miraculous images of the Virgin Mary. Her research explores cross-cultural narratives, such as the transmission of animal fables between Islamic and European traditions. She holds a PhD from New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts, alongside MA and BA degrees from NYU and Brown University. Education: PhD, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University MA, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University BA, Brown University Research Interests: Russakoff’s work bridges art history and cultural studies, focusing on image-text relationships in medieval manuscripts. Her monograph Imagining the Miraculous (2019) examines how images of the Virgin Mary were perceived as miraculous in 13th–15th century France. Current projects include a study of cross-cultural animal fables in manuscripts like the Kalila wa Dimna . Teaching & Paris Engagement: She teaches courses on ancient, medieval, and Islamic art, emphasizing Paris’s architectural and museum resources. Recent courses include Medieval Art & Architecture , Paris Through Its Architecture , and Senior Seminar: Animals and Monsters in Medieval Art . Conferences & Affiliations: Active in academic networks such as the College Art Association and Medieval Academy of America, Russakoff has presented at international conferences including the International Congress on Medieval Studies (Kalamazoo) and the Medieval Manuscripts in Motion conference in Lisbon. She co-edited volumes on Jean Pucelle and medieval human-animal relationships.
Daniel Perret is a senior Researcher at the French School of the Far East (EFEO), based at the University of Malaya 's Department of History within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. His work focuses on the history and archaeology of maritime Southeast Asia, particularly Sumatra and Malaysia, spanning from ancient settlements to pre-20th century urban developments. His research integrates excavation of sites like Kota Cina and Si Pamutung analysis of Muslim funerary art ( Aceh batu stelae) epigraphic studies of Indian-origin scripts interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions across Indonesia, Malaysia, and France Recent publications examine Tamil diaspora , Malacca Strait trade networks , and environmental history . He has co-edited major works on Padang Lawas and Pengkalan Bujang glassware, while serving as editor-in-chief of Archipel (2010–2018) and coordinating international archaeological programs in Malaysia and Indonesia. His projects have received support from French Embassy in Malaysia Advisory Commission for Excavations Abroad IRIS-Global Studies (PSL) French School of the Far East
Makram Abbès is a Professor of Arabic Studies at the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon) and a researcher at the Triangle laboratory (UMR 5206). He is also a junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France and currently serves as Director of CEFREPA (French Center for Research on the Arabian Peninsula) since 2021. His work focuses on Islamic moral and political philosophy, medieval political thought, and the translation of classical Arabic texts into French. His research spans topics such as the theory of war in Islam, the political theories of scholars like Al-Mâwardî and Avempace, and intercultural dialogue through translation. Notably, he received the 2015 Ibn Khaldoun-Senghor Translation Award for his translation of Al-Mâwardî’s De l’Éthique du Prince et du gouvernement de l’État , praised for its clarity and modern interpretation of medieval political thought. Abbès has authored or edited numerous publications, including Islam et modernité (2015), Freedom of Speech (2023), and co-edited volumes on Edward Said’s legacy. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary debates on Islam, governance, and intercultural communication. He has also contributed to media discussions on topics like human rights in Islam and the philosophy of jihad. His academic roles include editorial leadership of journals like Éthique, Politique, Religions and active participation in international conferences. His research emphasizes the relevance of classical Islamic thought to modern political discourse, blending rigorous textual analysis with interdisciplinary approaches.
Youssef El Alaoui serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Romance Studies at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Rouen Normandy. As a permanent member of ERIAC (Research Unit 4705), he contributes to this interdisciplinary research center focused on Spanish and Latin American cultures, histories, and literatures. His academic work examines historical interactions between Christian and Muslim communities in early modern Spain and its colonies, with particular focus on religious minorities and conversion processes. Doctor in Civilization of Spanish Golden Age and Colonial America, University of Rouen (1998) Dr. El Alaoui's research explores policies of evangelization and assimilation of religious minorities in 16th-17th century Spain and America, with special attention to the Morisco population (Muslims forcibly converted to Christianity). His scholarship investigates methods of evangelization by the Society of Jesus among Moriscos and indigenous populations, anti-Muslim controversies in early modern Spain, and the complex identity negotiations of religious minorities. He examines how religious, cultural, and political boundaries were constructed, maintained, and crossed during this period of intense religious transformation, particularly focusing on the role of Moriscos in relations between Christian Spain and Muslim communities. His recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on Morisco studies with increasing comparative approaches between different religious minorities within the Spanish Empire. His work shows methodological evolution from purely historical analysis toward interdisciplinary approaches incorporating religious studies, cultural history, and postcolonial theory. Key themes across his publications include religious conversion strategies, identity formation among religious minorities, representation of 'the Other' in early modern religious polemics, and comparative analysis of evangelization methods across different cultural contexts. Prize for the best Hispanic master's thesis defended in France awarded by the Société des Hispanistes Français (SHF) in 1994 Dr. El Alaoui actively participates in multiple research projects including the COST ACTION CA18129 'Islamic Legacy' project, the IMPI project ('Antes del orientalismo'), and the European Research Group 'Minorías en la España Medieval y Moderna.' He serves as co-director of the ERIAC electronic journal 'Travaux et Documents Hispaniques' (TDH) and is a member of the editorial board of eHumanistas/Conversos journal. His teaching encompasses Civilization of Spanish Golden Age and Colonial America, Civilization of Contemporary Spain, and Methodology of University Work across undergraduate and graduate levels. Within ERIAC, Dr. El Alaoui participates in the FIBIA-BMR project for virtual library development focusing on Iberian and Italian ancient collections of the Rouen Municipal Library. He has organized numerous seminars and study days on religious minorities, identity formation, and cultural exchanges in early modern Iberia and its colonies, demonstrating sustained engagement with both historical scholarship and contemporary methodological approaches to religious diversity studies.
Paul FRANÇOIS is an Associate Professor in the Department of Letters, Languages and Ancient Civilizations at the University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès, Faculty of Letters, Philosophy and Music. He also serves as a CNRS Research Engineer at the Laboratory of Medieval and Modern Archaeology in the Mediterranean (LA3M). His academic career spans over three decades, having joined the university in 1989 after completing his doctorate in Latin studies under the supervision of Paul JAL in 1987. His research interests bridge classical scholarship with cutting-edge digital methodologies. Initially focused on Latin paleography, critical editions of historical texts, and Roman history (particularly the mid-Republican period), his work has increasingly incorporated digital reconstruction techniques. He has developed expertise in virtual reality applications for historical and archaeological research, with notable projects focusing on the Saint-Germain Fair theaters, Egyptian archaeological sites including Kôm Abou Billou and the Eastern Desert gold mining operations, and various architectural reconstructions. His recent publications reveal a strong trend toward interdisciplinary work combining traditional humanities with digital technologies. His research spans from ancient Roman history to 18th-century theater architecture, all approached through the lens of digital reconstruction. He has developed specialized methodologies for 'retro-architecture' and virtual reconstruction of historical spaces, with particular attention to how these techniques can enhance both research and public dissemination of historical knowledge. As a member of the PLH-CRATA research team, he contributes to projects that integrate textual analysis with material culture studies. His work on the Eastern Desert of Egypt demonstrates how remote sensing and digital reconstruction can illuminate previously undocumented aspects of medieval gold mining operations. He has supervised numerous digital reconstruction projects and has been instrumental in developing tools like SPIRIDON for Mediterranean ceramicology. His work demonstrates a consistent commitment to creating digital infrastructure that serves both scholarly research and public engagement with historical and archaeological materials.
National Institute of Oriental Languages and CivilizationsFrance
Hoorelbeke Mathias serves as a Lecturer and Director of the Department of Arabic Studies at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, holding concurrent roles as MEEF master referent (2020–present) and CFVE member (2022–2025). His academic profile centers on Classical Arabic language and literature within the Near and Middle East specialization framework. His research investigates Abbasid-era poetic production through lenses of patronage dynamics, satirical jousting (hijāʾ), and homoerotic expression, with particular focus on textual analysis of the Kitāb al-Aġānī and biographical traditions. Key interests include rhetorical strategies for negotiating poet-patron relationships, landscape representation in travel narratives, and socio-political contexts of early Islamic literary culture, reflecting deep engagement with pre-modern Arabic philological traditions. Publication analysis reveals consistent methodological focus on 8th–9th century Abbasid poetry, examining how rhetorical devices like gift-giving tropes and spatial metaphors facilitated social mobility. His work frequently centers on canonical texts such as the Book of Songs while recovering marginalized voices including homoerotic poets and pre-Islamic biographical subjects, demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches bridging literary criticism and historical anthropology. Hoorelbeke Mathias contributes to the CERMOM (Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur les Mondes Contemporains) research ecosystem at INALCO, where his historical scholarship intersects with the institute's contemporary Middle Eastern studies framework through shared methodological rigor in textual analysis and cultural interpretation.
National Institute of Oriental Languages and CivilizationsFrance
Bertrand Loïc is a Lecturer in Arabic Studies at the Institut National des Langues et Civilisations Orientales (INALCO) , specializing in Classical Arabic literature and language. He coordinates the Arabic language initiation diploma and serves as Tutoring Coordinator for beginner Arabic courses. His research focuses on: Classical Arabic literature Arabic language philology Medieval Middle Eastern literary traditions Poetic theory and rhetoric Cultural transmission in Islamicate societies His recent publications explore: Pre-Islamic poetry (al-Ǧāhiliyya) and its critical frameworks Rhetorical devices in ʿAbd al-Qāhir al-Ǧurǧānī's works Interpretative strategies in Arabic literary anthologies Historical linguistics of classical Arabic Manuscript culture in the Middle East Comparative analysis of Arabic poetic traditions Bertrand is affiliated with the CERMOM research team (Centre de Recherche sur le Monde Arabe et Islamique) and actively contributes to academic project management in Arabic studies.
Makram Abbes is Professor of Arabic Studies at École normale supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon) and director of CEFREPA (French Center for Research on the Arabian Peninsula) since September 2021. His work focuses on the intersection of Islamic political philosophy and medieval Arabic intellectual traditions. Primary affiliation: ENS de Lyon (Professor of Arabic Studies) Current role: Director of CEFREPA Key research areas: Islamic political thought, medieval scholars' theories, Aristotelian influence on Arab philosophers Research Focus Abbes explores: Medieval Islamic political philosophy through figures like Al-Farabi, Avempace, and Averroes Evolution of the concept of 'siyasa' (governance) in classical Islamic jurisprudence Ethical frameworks for rulership in pre-modern Islamic thought Comparative analysis of Aristotle's political theories in Arabic translation traditions Publication Trends His recent works analyze: Al-Māwardī's political theology (2023) Medieval Islamic governance models (2021-2019) Philosophical foundations of Islamic statecraft Labs & Collaborations Works with: Triangle UMR 5206 laboratory CEFREPA (as director) Collaborative projects on Islamic intellectual history
Saba Farès is a Professor of Ancient Arabic Languages and Cultures at Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès, affiliated with the Patrimoine Littérature Histoire (PLH) research unit and the ERASMUS Research Team on the Reception of Antiquity. She specializes in pre-Islamic Arabia, North Arabian epigraphy, and cultural heritage studies, conducting extensive fieldwork in Jordan's Wadi Ramm and Saudi Arabia's Kilwa. Her research focuses on the religious landscape and sacred territories of Arabian tribes, linguistic analysis of ancient Arabic inscriptions, and environmental archaeology. She integrates historical linguistics with archaeological fieldwork to understand ancient Arabian societies, particularly examining how climate and environment influenced cultural development and population movements. Her work bridges traditional epigraphy with modern digital documentation techniques. Professor Farès' publications demonstrate a consistent focus on pre-Islamic Arabian Peninsula studies, with particular emphasis on North Arabian inscriptions, Christian monasticism in Arabia, and traditional water management systems. Her recent work shows increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, combining archaeological, linguistic, environmental, and zoological approaches to understand ancient desert societies. Scientific Recognition: HCERES Expert since 2018 Member of National Universities Committee (2015-2017) Principal Investigator for MIRCAP project (€60,000 from PACA region, 2017-2020) Principal Investigator for STORMER project (€8,000 from LabexMed, 2017-2018) Professor Farès actively supervises doctoral theses and has directed significant archaeological projects for over two decades. She co-founded the Cairn-Rujm consulting startup (2009-2015) and serves as scientific advisor to the al-Disseh Museum in Jordan. Her MirCap project has created an open-access archaeological information system for data from Jordan and Saudi Arabia. She leads ongoing excavations at Kilwa, Saudi Arabia, where her team discovered a unique Christian monastery complex dating to the 7th-11th centuries, challenging previous assumptions about Christianity's presence in pre-Islamic Arabia. Her work at Wadi Ramm, Jordan, spans more than 20 years and focuses on ancient tribal territories and epigraphic documentation.
Cordonier Valérie is a Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy, University of Fribourg (Switzerland), and a Research Fellow (CR1) at the SPHERE laboratory (UMR 7219, CNRS) in Paris. Her research focuses on the Aristotelian tradition's developments and critiques from antiquity to the Middle Ages, particularly on divine providence, sensory perception, and interdisciplinary intersections in musical discourse (18th–20th centuries). She has held visiting positions at institutions like the New School for Social Research (NYC) and contributed to critical editions of Aristotle's works, including the Liber de bona fortuna and Ethica Eudemica . Education : Doctoral thesis on divine providence in Thomas Aquinas (University of Paris IV, 2006); Master's in music theory (HEM Geneva, 2019) Research : Specializes in Aristotelian physics, medieval cosmology, and musical theory analysis (e.g., Gallant tradition, Schubert's harmony) Her scientific awards include the 2019 Prix du Conseil d'Etat for her Master's thesis and the 2011 Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences Jubilee Prize . She has organized conferences on topics like medieval cosmology and served as treasurer for the International Society for the History of Arab and Islamic Sciences and Philosophy.
