360/Digital Sherlocks
Combatting disinformation and other online harms can’t be done alone; it requires a dedicated movement of individuals around the world taking the lead in their own communities.
Through the Digital Sherlocks Program, the DFRlab aims to equip the next generation of global experts with the knowledge of open source intelligence (OSINT), investigative skills and broader information integrity required to protect the online information environment and combat disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), and other online harms.
The Digital Sherlocks Program is the world’s largest series of free, online trainings dedicated to students, members of civil society, journalists, and academics focused on combatting dis- and misinformation through OSINT techniques. Each year, a cohort of hundreds of participants from around the world has access to a portfolio of more than 30 unique training modules delivered live by the DFRLab’s team of OSINT experts.
The program consists of workshops and practical training sessions covering media literacy, open-source investigative techniques, fact-checking and source verification, narrative analysis, social media monitoring, geolocation, and many other topics. In addition to the training sessions, the Digital Sherlocks become part of a global community with informal networking events and interactive conversations on digital governance and tech policy with DFRLab’s staff and fellows. They gain access to dedicated resources and private social media groups where they can share resources, promote their own research, and pursue collaboration with both DFRLab researchers and other participants.
Since its inception in 2019, the Digital Sherlocks Program has grown to support a global community of more than 3500 alumni from over 140 countries. These Digital Sherlocks, committed to monitoring and protecting information environments in their respective regions, are the heart of our movement.
Do you want to know more?
Applications for Fall 2024 Digital Sherlocks Program are now open. Apply here by July 5th!
Digital Sherlock Resources
Already part of our global community of open-source students? Here you can find our schedule, register for sessions, and view available resources.
AD HOC CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES
The DFRLab’s global team regularly delivers bespoke trainings on a variety of open source methodologies and policy topics related to mis- and disinformation, FIMI, and other online harms. Realizing that these challenges are highly context-specific, the DFRLab ensures that the nuances of a given geography or organizational remit are incorporated into course material and training approaches. Likewise, training can span from 1-2 hours up to a full week, depending on the needs of participants.
The DFRLab has helped organizations all over the world build their capacities to monitor, analyze, and combat disinformation. Are you interested in hosting a training with our experts for your organization? Contact us at DFRLab@AtlanticCouncil.org.
Previous Trainings
