Open-Source Global Justice Investigations Lab
Globalisation and digital technology have made information more accessible than ever, but have also increased misinformation and fake news. Students therefore need critical inquiry skills across disciplines. Through open-source investigation, they can learn to identify, verify, analyse, and evaluate sources such as news reports, social media, and satellite images. These skills can also support reporting and advocacy on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including issues like food security, deforestation, human rights, and international justice.
Course details and registration for students
| Number of EC: | 7.5 EC |
|---|---|
| Start course: | study period 2 and 3 (Academic year 2026-2027) |
| Time: | Wednesday 11.00-12.45 - Friday 13.15-15 |
| Coördinators: | |
| Application: | As the lab is of limited capacity, we will select participants based on a submitted 500-word motivation letter and your CV. |
| Application deadline: | 2 October 2026 |
More about open-source investigations
Check out this information Zine to learn more about open-source investigation 101 and the Global Justice Investigations Lab!
Partners
Our Aims and Purpose
Working together with societal partners and real-world projects, Utrecht University has set up a UU Open-Source Global Justice Investigations Lab, which aims to combine digital innovation with new media literacy. The Lab uses innovative applied-learning methods to:
- Equip students with the interdisciplinary skills and ethical considerations required to learn how to conduct open-source investigations and evaluate open-source materials. This includes practical OSINT skills, such as Geolocation and Chrono-location, taught by experts in the field.
- Bringing an interdisciplinary and international community of students, teachers, and societal partners (such as civil society organizations) together to work together towards addressing global challenges in a hands-on manner. The lab is both about learning something new (digital knowledge and skills to become critical global citizens) and about innovative ways of learning to drive SDG progress.
For more detailed information about the lab and its projects, see
Join us!
In the face of unprecedented budget cuts, vital initiatives such as the Open-Source Global Justice Investigations Lab face the threat of closure. Now, more than ever, public support is critical.
Join us in safeguarding the future of this essential work. Every contribution, big or small, directly supports the continued operation of the lab and enables us to carry forward this impactful work.
Project Members
- Human Rights, Transitional Justice, Victim Rights, International Criminal Law, International Criminal Procedure
- International Humanitarian Law, Remote Warfare, Human Rights, Artificial Intelligence and Law, Public International Law, Academic and Legal Skills
- Augmented Reality, Media Archaeology, Virtual Reality, Digital Humanities, Wireless Technology, Mobile Communication, Urban Media, New Media, Social Media, Digital Culture, Digital Media, Internet and Media, Communication Studies
- Artificial Intelligence, Privacy and Data Protection, Trust, Software Agents
- Political Ecology, Conflict Studies
