Disinformation
Detecting, Collecting & Analyzing
Understand the creation, propagation, and strategic objectives of disinformation
About the course
Our Applied Disinformation Investigations with OSINT course is a world-first course that provides researchers, analysts and practitioners with the practical skills to collect, analyse and take action against disinformation, misinformation and fake news. We teach you tangible skills on how to validate & verify information, how to collect your own data sets on troll bot networks, how to analyse using comprehensive visualization tools to derive meaning from the information and how to establish a repeatable workflow through methodologies to support your mission.
Our course is designed for people looking to extend their theoretical understanding of information operations by focusing on the applied aspect of how disinformation occurs and the technical skills required to take action. We cover introductory theory and explore actor intent and capabilities, and then pivot to the core learning objectives around real-world skills development in the information environment. We focus on the tactical practitioner to generate counter-disinformation skills and develop a pathway for becoming your own fact checker.
Move beyond theoretical understandings but equipping yourself with the skills to operate effectively in the modern information society and combat disinformation head-on.
Key Learning Objectives
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Understand definitions and types of inauthentic content, including disinformation, misinformation, malinformation, and propaganda
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Identify tactics and techniques used by state and non-state actors to disseminate and amplify disinformation online, such as bot networks, deepfakes, “fake news” stories, and astroturfing.
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Explain the impact of social media on the impact, scale and reach of disinformation
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Identify the strategic objectives that actors seek to achieve through information warfare and influence operations
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Apply open-source collection methodologies, tools, and techniques to collect and classify inauthentic content from social media platforms and websites
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Use Excel functions and formulas to analyse and identify patterns and trends in large disinformation data sets
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Evaluate the reliability and credibility of online sources, and make judgements about the provenance, agenda, message, and medium of sources
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Use data visualisation software to visualise online disinformation networks and campaigns
Who should take this course?
This course is designed to build students’ practical skills in analyzing disinformation campaigns and ecosystems, which will enable them to conduct more effective disinformation investigations and analysis
The course is aimed at a broad range of professionals who seek to understand and counter disinformation online
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Intelligence Analysts and law enforcement who investigate and report on the information environment and influence operations.
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Journalists and media professionals who need to identify and report on disinformation campaigns and protect the public from harmful narratives.
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Communication and marketing professionals who seek to mitigate the impact of disinformation through communication strategies and counter-narratives.
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Educators who develop resources and strategies to help students become informed, responsible consumers of information.
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Policy makers in government and non-government organisations who develop policies or legislation to combat disinformation campaigns
Delivery is available in multiple formats
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Classroom based learning with instructor led education, in-person & virtually
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Online, self-paced learning through our Online Academy
Flexible delivery
