Hi all,

As we start the year, we would like to take a moment to thank you for being part of IJSC’s journey and to share an update on our projects since our last email.

2025 was a year of deep collaboration and learning. We’ve worked across various projects and had the privilege of engaging with activists, journalists, researchers, policy makers, and students from around the world.

Feminist Investigative Journalism Handbook

Last year we launched The Feminist Investigative Journalism Handbook. As part of its dissemination, we hosted three workshops with some of our contributors, including Juliana Ruhfus, Hewete Haileselassie, Annie Burns-Pieper, Ani Hovhannisyan, and Kiki Mordi.

Each workshop created a space for journalists, researchers, and activists to come together and reflect on how investigative journalism is practised, who it serves, and how it can be reimagined. All these workshops will be available on our YouTube channel this year, so hit the subscribe button now. 

MA in Global Data Journalism (with SOAS)

We’ve completed the first semester of our new MA in Global Data Journalism, created in partnership with SOAS.

The programme is designed to embed practical, real-world, and impactful assignments into students’ coursework, while bringing journalists, researchers, and activists directly into the classroom. Students from around the globe are joining us, and we offer classes both online and in person.

This semester, we worked closely with an outstanding group of guest lecturers, including:

• Alex Tilley, Head of Research at the aid transparency NGO Publish What You Fund, with previous experience at the Natural Resource Governance Institute and the Bolivia Information Forum.

• Lovisa Moller Vallgårda, Director of Analysis at the UK’s National Centre for Social Research, whose work focuses on using data science to improve lives.

IJSC at the Danish Parliament

In December, our Co-Founder/Co-Director Claire Provost spoke at a conference in Denmark titled “A European Perspective: Democracy and Gender Equality in the Digital Age.” The event took place on the occasion of the Danish EU Presidency and was held in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Sex & Society, and New Europe.

Claire’s presentation focused on how well-funded, transnational anti-rights groups are strategically targeting European institutions, often under the radar and with limited financial transparency, and why following the money matters, particularly where public funds undermine human rights, equality, and democracy. Follow our social media channels for highlights from her talk.

Upcoming Reports to look out for in early 2026!

We’ve also been working closely with partners and are preparing to launch two new reports early this year:

NOOR
This report examines how financial flows from major technology companies’ philanthropic channels shape global civic and rights-related ecosystems. Drawing on new follow-the-money research, it highlights transparency gaps and offers recommendations for funders, researchers, and civil society.

DFPA
This report examines the evolving landscape of sexual and reproductive rights in East Africa, exploring how local and international dynamics influence current challenges. Based on new financial analysis and insights from regional stakeholders, it highlights structural funding issues and offers recommendations for donors, civil society, and researchers.

As we step into the new year, we remain excited about our various projects and collaborations ahead. We’re deeply grateful for the support, partnerships, and conversations that make this work possible.

If you’d like to stay up to date with IJSC’s latest research and resources, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter.

We wish you a beautiful start to the year, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Best,
Elejha and the IJSC Team