Bellingcat Bootcamp a success
By Erna Ruijer and Nicolette Moors
During the weekend of 10 to 12 May, students from Utrecht University, ROC Midden-Nederland, Hogeschool Utrecht Journalism in association with Fontys Hogeschool Tilburg and HKU participated in a Bellingcat Bootcamp, organized by Residenties in Utrecht.
Bellingcat is an online research collective that uses online sources to do research into, for example, the disaster with the MH17 and the poison gas attack in Salisbury, England.
digital research methods
The aim of the bootcamp was to introduce students to digital research methods. On the first day, students learned how to make smart use of open source data to solve or obtain new insights into local issues. Students learned how to verify online sources and news for authenticity, but also how to use visual material, Google Earth and social media data to solve issues.
local cases
The students then spent two days working on two local cases: the shooting at the 24 Oktoberplein and the cocaine trade in Utrecht. The first case was developed by DUIC. The second case was developed by the Utrecht police in collaboration with the USBO. On the third day the groups presented their findings. It has been a successful bootcamp with positive reactions from the participants!
more information
For more information about this project please contact Dr Erna Ruijer (h.j.m.ruijer@uu.nl) or Nicolette Moors (n.s.e.moors@uu.nl).