Introduction to Geolocation, Satellite Imagery Techniques & Chronolocation
12h online training
23-25 October 2026, 9 am - 1 pm EST New York time/ 3 -7 pm CET Amsterdam time
Price: EUR 1,050
Would you like to learn how Bellingcat investigations are done? Would you like to know how to geolocate footage showing Shahed-136 type kamikaze drones; chronolocate shadows to prove time of day of an airstrike, find out the full scale damage caused by natural disasters or the impact of an oil spill?
If the answer to those questions is ‘yes’, this workshop is for you.
Bellingcat’s 12h introductory webinar offers you immersion in skills and techniques underlying open source research. You will gain a basic understanding of satellite imagery use for investigations, geolocation and chronolocation skills and techniques. During the webinar, our researchers step away from their own investigations and share their knowledge, wisdom and advice with you.
What you will learn:
This webinar is split into 3 parts focusing on introduction to geolocation, maps and satellite services and chronolocation and will cover:
Part 1 Practical Geolocation
- The ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of geolocation, with a particular focus on how both basic and more advanced geolocation techniques can play a central, practical role in research and investigation processes.
- Basic geolocation techniques, with interactive examples and exercises from across a number of different topic areas (e.g., human rights and conflict; hate and harms; alleged criminal activity), and then discuss
- How geolocation can be used in research and investigation processes, particularly in topics where it remains under-utilized as a research technique
Part 2 Introduction to Maps and Satellite Services
- How to use satellite imagery for research, how to use Google Maps and Street View, how to use Google Earth as a geospatial notebook
- Introduction to Copernicus Browser and how/when it can be useful
- Alternate satellite imagery sources and mapping services
- Country-specific options for maps and satellite imagery, alternate streetview providers and the limitations/advantages of using them
- Resources for monitoring conflicts or getting a better understanding of dynamic environments when an in-person investigation isn’t an option
- Tips on what to do when mapping services or satellite imagery is insufficient for the location you’re looking at
Part 3 Chronolocation
- The hows and whys of chronolocation, with a particular focus on how both basic and more advanced techniques
- Basic chronolocation techniques with interactive examples and exercises
- How to use chronolocation in open source research
Experience level:
This webinar is meant for researchers with a novice-to-intermediate familiarity with geolocation, maps and satellites and chronolocation, people who have a basic understanding of what open source investigations are but do not necessarily have to have research experience in any of the training topics.
Logistics:
The webinar will be led by experienced Bellingcat researchers who will guide you through the material. They have extensive open source research experience and are passionate about sharing their knowledge with you.
Zoom webinar joining details will be shared with participants in the week before the training.
Too basic for you:
In case you think you’re not ready or too experienced to join this webinar, please check our website for upcoming training better matching your needs.
