Join us for the third edition of our two-week online Summer School organised by Tactical Tech’s Data and Politics and Exposing the Invisible projects between the 17th - 28th July 2023.
We are inviting journalists, researchers and civil society investigators from across the world with a passion for conducting investigations into the political influence industry and how personal data and data-driven technologies are used to influence voters, elections and political processes.
Apply by filling in our lime survey here by (new deadline!) 6th July (midnight anywhere)
The Investigating the Influence Industry: Summer School will cover:
- tools and tactics that political actors and the companies they work with are using to conduct political influence,
- investigation techniques and cases specific to researching the political use of data-driven technologies and their surrounding industry,
- networking and skill-sharing opportunities among participants to encourage connections with each other’s work and to advance this area of knowledge.
The sessions will be a mix of lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops. In addition, there will be extra sessions with guest speakers. The online sessions will be accompanied by resources provided by Tactical Tech's Data and Politics project.
To Apply
Apply by filling in our lime survey here by (new deadline!) 6th July (midnight anywhere)
Apply if you are:
- an independent journalist
- a civil society/'citizen' investigator or researcher working collaboratively or independently
- a member of an NGO or other research organisation using and benefiting from investigations methods in the public interest
- an academic or student researching a related topic
- any other member of civil society with a demonstrated passion and curiosity for applying investigative methods and standards to document, verify and expose issues of public interest.
We particularly encourage you to apply if:
- You are an experienced investigator or emerging investigator working in or with marginalised and disadvantaged (physical or digital) communities.
- You have interest in or work on local/regional issues and have fewer opportunities to access cross-national collaboration and skill-sharing events
- You wish to gain more skills and knowledge from others and connect with a network of experienced investigators and practitioners
- You are passionate about starting your own investigation and want to learn more about techniques and safety measures you can apply.
- We welcome applicants who are at the start of their research / investigative journey, from across the world, and who have a curiosity to learn from others' experiences, as well experienced researchers / investigators who wish to share skills and knowledge with others as well as to update their knowledge and skills.
Apply by filling in our lime survey: https://lime.ttc.io/index.php/51153?lang=en
Selection process
Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis.
Please Note - this summer school provides a free learning and collaboration opportunity, and we do not provide stipends or grants for attending the online institute sessions.
Dates and Times
Online workshop between the 17th - 28th July 2023. The main course will take place on three half-days during each week.
The Hosts
The Influence Industry Project is lead since 2016 by Tactical Tech’s Data and Politics team addressing the pervasive data-driven technologies used by political groups within elections and political campaigns. We’ve unpacked the technical processes of campaign apps, examined the spending on campaign and communication consultants, and worked with partners to investigate how data-driven tools are used in elections worldwide.
Tactical Tech’s Exposing the Invisible (ETI) project promotes and enables the safe and ethical use of investigative techniques to expose wrongdoing and promote transparency in invisible processes. ETI provides regular workshops, investigation and training institutes,has been developing an online Kit for investigators, and facilitates a growing network of journalists, community investigators, artists, researchers, activists, technologists and NGOs who believe in the power of investigation as an important form of public engagement.
