Workshops
Register now for our monthly hands-on workshops to grow your reporting skillset with the latest techniques and tools for investigative research.
Digital Lifeline:
Saving At-Risk Data
Wednesday, June 11, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join Sunlight Research Center, Data Rescue Project (DRP), MuckRock, and the Data Curation Network (DCN) for a workshop on identifying, preserving and reporting on government data. In an era where federal data is at risk of disappearing or being altered, this training will equip you with the tools and knowledge to safeguard critical information.
Protecting Public Data: Learn how to identify key datasets, track changes and proactively archive information at risk of disappearing. DRP will demo their Data Rescue Tracker, a tool for coordinating data preservation.
DIY Data Preservation: Get hands-on experience with tools like Google Sheets formulas and Klaxon, guided by MuckRock, to archive data independently. The DCN will lead a DIY session on their CURATE(D) primers, empowering you to become a data preserver.
Reporting and Discussion: Discuss how to report on government information using rescued data, guided by MuckRock and Sunlight Research Center.
And ... make sure to stick around for office hours after the workshop for in-depth demos and answers to your specific questions from the experts.
(Enroll by Wednesday, June 11, 10 a.m ET)
Exposing the Silence:
Reporting on Deaths in Custody
Thursday, July 17, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join The Marshall Project, Arizona Luminaria, Ocala Gazette, and Sunlight Research Center for a hands-on workshop on investigating deaths in custody — a largely underreported and deeply consequential issue. With limited federal oversight and minimal state enforcement of reporting requirements, many unnatural deaths in correctional facilities go unreported. This session will equip journalists with the tools and context needed to expose systemic failures that can have tragic consequences.
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Uncovering the invisible: Understand why deaths in custody often go unreported, the implications of missing data, and why many experts consider this a public health emergency.
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Reporting with precision: Learn how to request key records and data to reconstruct the circumstances of a death behind bars — from medical neglect to use-of-force incidents — and how to navigate the legal and bureaucratic barriers that stand in the way.
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Experience meets guidance: Hear from journalists Brittany Hailer, Irene McKisson, and Anna Flagg, who bring years of investigative and data reporting experience on this issue. They will share practical strategies and insights from their work covering deaths in custody.
And ... make sure to stick around for office hours after the workshop for in-depth demos and answers to your specific questions from the experts at The Marshall Project and Sunlight.
(Enroll by Thursday, July 17, 10 a.m ET)
Join Sunlight Research Center for a four-part workshop series designed to teach you how to research political candidates at the state and local level using publicly available tools and records. Over the course of a month, we’ll host four hour-long sessions covering backgrounding fundamentals, personal financial disclosures, political history, how to file and follow up on FOIA requests at the state level, and more.
Each session will be followed by an additional hour of office hours, where participants can ask questions, get hands-on support, and connect directly with research experts. Whether you’re a journalist, advocate, student, or simply a curious and engaged voter, this series will give you practical skills to better understand who’s seeking public office and how to verify their records.
Participants who attend all four sessions will receive a certificate of completion and a Sunlight digital badge to display on LinkedIn or their resume.
Enroll for the series by Aug. 19 at 10 AM ET.
Schedule
Behind the Ballot: A Hands-On Guide to Candidate Research
Tuesday, August 19, 1-2 PM ET
Decoding Finances: Candidate Wealth and Disclosures
Tuesday, August 26, 1-2 PM ET
Tracing Political Footprints: Investigating Candidates' Political Histories
Tuesday, September 2, 1-2 PM ET
FOIA for Local Impact: Unlocking Public Records in Your Community
Tuesday, September 9, 1-2 PM ET
Cost
Entire Series and Certification
General Admission: $199
Student: $50
Sunlight Member: $99
Interested in just joining one session?
Purchase one session for $55.
Candidate Backgrounding
Fall Workshop Series
Workshop 1
Behind the Ballot:
A Hands-On Guide to Candidate Research
Tuesday, Aug. 19, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join research experts from Sunlight Research Center for a focused workshop that will show you how to thoroughly background state and local candidates without relying on expensive proprietary databases. After this session, you’ll be ready to conduct deep candidate research that helps voters understand who's asking for their vote.
Research foundations: Learn how to start candidate backgrounding using public records and free sources.
Using social media effectively: Use social media to find candidates’ previous public statements and public engagement.
Key candidate details: Understand how to find and verify essential information, such as educational history, to build a complete and accurate candidate profile.
Enroll by Tuesday, Aug. 19, 10 AM ET.
1
Decoding Finances:
Candidate Wealth and Disclosures
Workshop 2
Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Sunlight investigative experts will teach you to find key personal financial details for state and local politicians. After this session, you’ll be better prepared to analyze assets, business connections and financial disclosures to inform your audience about the financial background of the candidates seeking their trust.
Unearthing financial footprints: Learn to find assets connected to candidates using publicly available records and resources, including property records, business documents and financial disclosures.
Basic business backgrounding: Gain skills to investigate candidates’ business ties and history.
Decoding finances and assets: Learn to interpret business filings and disclosures to assess candidates’ financial status.
Enroll by Tuesday, Aug. 26, 10 AM ET.
Workshop 3
Tracing Political Footprints:
Investigating Candidates' Political Histories
Tuesday, Sept. 2, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join Sunlight’s investigative research experts for a deep dive into the political pasts of state and local candidates and elected officials. This session will equip you with the tools to uncover a politician’s voting history, campaign involvement, public statements and policy positions. After this workshop, you’ll be ready to piece together political narratives that inform your audience about the background of politicians seeking to lead their community.
Following the political trail: Learn to trace past campaigns, election outcomes and endorsements through state and local resources.
Legislative digging: Discover how to analyze a candidate’s policy record, including sponsored bills, voting history and committee activity.
Public stances and affiliations: Use open records, news sources and public testimony to build a full picture of a candidate’s political identity.
Enroll by Tuesday, Sept. 2, 10 AM ET.
Workshop 4
FOIA for Local Impact:
Unlocking Public Records in Your Community
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Join experts from MuckRock and Sunlight for a hands-on session exploring how to use public records laws to investigate state and local politicians and candidates. This workshop will prepare you to file effective requests, handle common pushback, and use state transparency laws to uncover vital information. Whether you’re new to FOIA or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll walk away equipped to access the records your community needs to make informed decisions at the ballot box.
State-level know-how: Understand the key differences between state and federal FOIA laws and how to navigate state and local processes.
Writing successful requests: Learn how to craft clear, targeted FOIA requests that get results — and how to follow up when they don’t.
Turning records into reporting: Understand how public records can reveal critical information about local officials, agencies and policies.
Enroll by Tuesday, Sept. 9, 10 AM 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 immediately after our workshop sessions and 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!
Do I need to complete this form if I am registered for the workshop?
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No - If you're already registered for workshop on the date you'd like to attend Office Hours, you do not need to complete this additional form.
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Yes - If you would like to attend Office Hours on a date(s) you are not registered for workshop, please complete this form.
Register below for a session that works for your schedule.
Our Impact
We're supporting newsrooms around the world.
What journalists are saying about Sunlight Research Center
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