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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

More announcements are coming soon. In the meantime, below is a short description of Hidden Interests and how it works. Reach out if you’d like to learn more.

Hidden Interests: an immersive crime and corruption simulation
Investigative Simulations Lab uses game-based learning to train journalists and researchers to investigate crime and corruption. The Lab’s flagship simulation game drops participants into a fictional world where a mineral discovery has unleashed a scramble for wealth and power among unscrupulous politicians, ruthless corporations, and a criminal syndicate. They follow leads, uncover evidence, and expose misconduct. Their work can even change the course of events.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

There have been a lot of exciting developments at Investigative Simulations Lab this summer. We have a number of training workshops planned for the rest of the year, we attended several major conferences, and we’re beginning work on the next offering in our catalog.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 29/05/2026

🇧🇪 Goedendag ! We are in Mechelen, Belgium for Dataharvest 2026, put on by @journalismarena.eu. If you want to hear about how we are using simulation games to teach investigators how to follow the money and promote accountability, our founder @johndellosso.bsky.social is here to spread the word.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

This past weekend in Paris, investigators uncovered a vast criminal conspiracy. They followed paper trails across borders. They traced links between organized crime, professional enablers and corrupt officials. They worked under pressure. You probably didn't hear about it in the news though.

Investigators studying documents and a network chart during a simulation game in Paris.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 22/04/2026

🚨 The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (@tbij.bsky.social) and Investigative Simulations Lab are running a two-day simulation game on crime, corruption and corporate enablers from 26-27 May in London. Test your investigative skills! For more information, contact: simulations@tbij.com

Investigations Training for Specialists

In-Person London, 26-27 May 2026

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (the Bureau) is offering a specialised and innovative two-day training seminar to help investigators uncover bribery, embezzlement, fraud and money-laundering. Investigations are about asking the right questions, spotting patterns and making smart choices with limited resources. Conventional training provides an important foundation, but practice is what sharpens your instincts. That kind of meaningful practice can be hard to find. That’s why we’ve developed simulations. Imagine an escape room or whodunit for investigators that is engaging, realistic and fun.

What is a simulation game: Each simulation game is set in a fictional world where participants have to sift through many sources of information and use evidence they collect to expose crime and corruption. Even though the people, places and things in the simulation game are fictional, these are real investigations that equip learners with the skills applicable in real-world situations.

How they work: Participants play the role of an investigative team whose objective is to expose acts of crime and corruption. They have access to limited resources to pursue leads and uncover evidence. Teams document their findings and discuss their findings, investigative approach, loose ends and hypothetical next steps.

Bookings and queries: simulations@tbij.com

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 19/04/2026

For more information, here is a rundown by Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Another important moment of the day was the interactive session led by John Dell'Osso, which showed the value of gamification for anti-corruption learning. By using simulation and investigation exercises, participants were able to explore corruption risks, suspicious transactions, and red flags in a way that connected theory with practice. The lesson here was clear: experiential learning can make anti-corruption training more accessible, memorable, and effective.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450924815596769280/

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 19/04/2026

Thank you to Mario Hidalgo Jara, the rest of the team at Universidad UTE and co-organizers Dr. Giovanna Rodriguez-Garcia (giroga.bsky.social) and Bonnie Palifka for the opportunity to present a short simulation game at the Academia against Corruption in the Americas conference in Quito, Ecuador.

Academics, practitioners, students and others in the Auditorio Álvaro Trueba at Universidad UTE in Quito, Ecuador during the VIII Conferencia de la Academia contra la Corrupción en las Américas (ACA). Participants played a short simulation game prepared for the conference.

Link: https://ute.edu.ec/event/viii-conferencia-aca-2026/

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 06/04/2026

🇪🇨 ¡Hasta pronto, Quito! We are honored to be speaking at the 8th Academia contra la Corrupción en las Américas conference next week. We'll be talking about simulation games as a tool for teaching about corruption and crime. Plus, we'll have a mini-simulation for participants.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 11/03/2026

👋 Come find us at #SunshineFest next week and see for yourself how we're using simulation games to promote transparency and accountability! Here's where we'll be... cc: @brechnerfoi.bsky.social @muckrock.com @knightfoundation.org

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 06/03/2026

We showed how simulation games can teach people what key concepts mean in practice. In this case, investigators saw an official riding in a new boat as a bill worked its way through parliament. A document said a company owned the boat, but who was behind it? The answer: the official!

A series of companies linked to a boat. The companies are all beneficially owned by a politician.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 23/02/2026

🌸 We'll be at Sunshine Fest in Washington, DC from March 15-17 talking about freedom of information and simulation games. Drop us a line if you'll be there and want to find a time to chat.

Sunshine Fest
March 15-17, 2026
Washington, D.C.

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