Sunlight Research Desk and MuckRock are joining forces to expand the tools, training and research support that help local newsrooms deliver high-impact reporting. Read more here.
Community Workshops
Register now for our monthly hands-on workshops to grow your reporting skillset with the latest techniques and tools for investigative research. ​
Learn about Data Liberation Project
Friday, Feb. 20, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join MuckRock’s tech team for the Building with MuckRock series. Each month, we’ll answer any questions, take your feedback and show you the newest tools on our platform. We’ll also feature case studies on how to use our services, new user orientations, showcasing new MuckRock features and more!
​​​​​(Enroll by Friday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m ET)
FOIA Under the Second Trump Administration
Special Thursday Edition to Celebrate Sunshine Week
Thursday, March 12, 12 to 1 p.m. ET
FOIAFriday is a community session to connect about all things FOIA and public records. We'll be joined by MuckRock's Nick Santos for a discussion on FOIA under the second Trump administration.
​​​​​(Enroll by Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m ET)
Reading the Record
Civil Litigation and Criminal Cases
Thursday, Feb. 26, 12 to 1 p.m. ET
Court records are one of the most powerful and underused tools in investigative reporting. In this workshop, MuckRock's Elizabeth Clemons and Kelly Kauffman will walk journalists through how civil litigation and criminal cases can reveal conflicts, behavior and decision-making that shape a subject’s public and private life.
​​​​​(Enroll by Thursday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m ET)
Detecting and Investigating Healthcare Fraud
A Real-World Case Study with Walter Smith Randolph
Wednesday, March 11, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
In this training, Walter Smith Randolph will walk attendees through a real Medicare fraud investigation that exposed a multimillion-dollar scheme involving fraudulent billing for medical supplies that patients never ordered or received.
​​​​​(Enroll by Wednesday, March 11, 10 a.m ET)
Book Bans with The Marshall Project and Data Liberation Project
Wednesday, March 18, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Tune into this session to learn from experts from The Marshall Project and Data Liberation Project to learn all about their work on uncovering book bans in prisons across the country.
​​​​​(Enroll by Wednesday, March 18, 10 a.m ET)
Start Small. Build Trust. Make News.
Building a Small Newsroom People Trust
Thursday, March 19, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
This session explores what it takes to start and grow a small newsroom that authentically serves its community with guest speakers from Shasta Scout, The Edge, and The Riverside Record.
​​​​​(Enroll by Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m ET)
Office Hours:
A space for investigators to learn and connect
Office Hours is an open, supportive space where journalists can ask questions about investigative research and get expert insights.
We host Office Hours one Wednesday a month, free of charge, and open to all. Whether you’re looking for guidance on a specific investigation or just want to listen and learn from others, you’re welcome here.
Drop in and join the conversation!​
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Our Impact
We're supporting newsrooms around the world.
Access all our previous trainings
Learn with research and FOIA experts across various topics.
We are always adding new videos to our YouTube channel as we work to support making politics more transparent and democracy more informed.
What journalists are saying about Sunlight Research Desk
The training provided in collaboration with MuckRock and through this reporting process has given me the confidence to dig deeper into financial data to better inform our readers about the money behind the issues in their communities.
The Riverside Record
I always walk away having learned something new and valuable for my work. The instructors are deeply knowledgeable and helpful, and they make learning investigative research skills an approachable and empowering experience.
Investigative Journalist and News Researcher
I attended SRC's Investigative Mindset and the Art of Digging workshop, and appreciated the opportunity to hear two investigative journalists talk through their own strategies. I stuck around for Sunlight's office hours and was grateful for the opportunity to have experienced investigative reporters weigh in on my questions. I'm so glad this resource exists!
Freelance Reporter