Welcome to Dataharvest 2024!
The 14th edition of your favorite investigative journalism conference kicked off with a bang today and will rock Mechelen until Sunday, bringing together 538 attendees from 48 different nationalities.
We hope you have arrived safely to Campus de Ham by now, and that you’re ready for an inspiring and informative few days together with us!
There’s a lot to unfold ahead of this packed weekend, so let’s get right to it!
Set off to a great start
After yesterday’s Masterclasses and Hackday, Dataharvest officially opened its gates for the 2024 European Investigative Journalism Conference.
The welcome was followed by an engaging group networking session, where attendees could get to know each other better.
After that, Carmen Aguilar García, Nicolas Kayser-Bril, and Rune Ytreberg engaged us in a stimulating and interactive debate about AI’s different roles – and implications – in journalism.
Not only workshops and networking
This year, two side activities electrified our Friday night: the Ultimate Quiz and Game night and OSINT Challenge Kick-Off.
The participants of the OSINT challenge were scattered throughout Mechelen for a treasure hunt that will run until the end of the conference – or at least until one of the teams solves all the exercises.
Follow #Dataharvest and #EIJC24 hashtags on social media to keep updated about the score. The winning team will be awarded Masterclasses tickets for the next edition of Dataharvest!
Day 1 – as it happened
Participants attended panels, presentations, and hands-on data-skill and security workshops. With over 130 sessions available, we recommend selecting the sessions that interest you the most!
One of this year’s new tracks is “AI/Algorithm”. On top of the keynote debate, don’t miss the other five sessions dedicated to exploring how AI and Algorithms are transforming the news ecosystem.
Additionally, don’t forget to check out the cross-border collaborative networking sessions. The Arena Food and Water Network already gathered for an informal networking meeting, while the Urban Journalist Network and the Arena Labour Network are scheduled for tomorrow.
Make the most out of Dataharvest
Remember, Dataharvest is your conference and your chance to connect with colleagues from all over Europe right here in Mechelen. To make the most of your networking opportunities, consider these tips:
- Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with someone new. This might lead to the most valuable connection of the entire conference.
- Share your experiences on social media using the hashtags #EIJC24 and #Dataharvest
- Create or update your profile on Sched so other attendees can learn about you. Mention your interests and current projects; you might be exactly who someone is looking for in their next investigation.
Find your next investigation with the whiteboard in the welcome foyer
Want to find your next investigation topic? Do you have a story idea but you’re missing some insight? Looking for a specific skill for your current project?
Use the markers to write on the whiteboard or use the post-its to share what you want to meet and discuss! Remember to put your contact details so people can connect with you for your next investigation.
Hello from the Dataharvest Comms team!
We’re running around all weekend taking photos and documenting the conference on social media and in the newsletter. Feel free to say hi, and please tweet us, tag us, and share your photos of the conference!
Help us capture Dataharvest by sharing them on social media. We’re looking forward to your snaps of the conference!
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