IRE 2026 master classes

Investigative skills: A master class

With Eric Lipton, The New York Times

Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

In this hands-on, tactical workshop using real case studies, we'll discuss investigative strategies to gather the information and sources needed to deliver a revelatory investigative piece -- in short, just about everything. How do you get started? How do you manage your progress to ensure your investigation is as targeted as possible? What tactics increase the likelihood of success?

We'll talk about how to obtain the best publicly available databases to supercharge your reporting. We'll spend time on FOIA tactics, such as "threading" and "piggybacking," and how to stay organized when the records start rolling in. And we'll discuss the importance of building a chronology and other organizational tactics, including the use of AI tools such as Google Notebook and Gemini, that allow you to see into your own files and what other folks have already discovered.

Outlining and structure: The writer's missing manual

With Matt Apuzzo, The New York Times

Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Outlining might be the single best thing you can do to make you a better, faster writer. This isn't the roman numeral outlining your middle school teacher taught you. We'll take a story from the ground up, showing how early considerations about structure and framing develop into a draft.

Writing the investigative narrative

With Bethany Barnes, Tampa Bay Times and Rebecca Woolington, NBC News Digital

Thursday, June 18, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Learn how to make your investigative writing compelling and powerful, from defining the narrative through reporting, organization, writing and self-editing.

Topics will include:

• Understanding the investigative narrative
• How to pitch
• Turning sources into characters
• Writing a scene
• Self-editing tips and techniques
• Organizing and writing a deeply reported investigative narrative

The freelance business workshop

Friday, June 19, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. FREE

Presented by the Institute for Independent Journalists

This free, full-day workshop will help freelancers develop a sustainable independent journalism practice. While geared toward people with a few years of experience, even long-time entrepreneurs will learn skills to level up.

Reporting and writing for scene

With Ken Armstrong, Bloomberg and Lizzie Presser, ProPublica

Friday, June 19, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

When it comes to crafting scenes, we can learn a lot from people who write fiction and screenplays. But our challenges begin long before the writing: Our scenes have to be true not just emotionally, but factually.

This class will look at the importance of dialogue over quotes; ways to hook and pull (and weave); and how to write a scene that readers will remember, all without sacrificing the element of accountability. We’ll dissect song lyrics; chat about creating dread; read a scene on the page, then watch it dramatized on screen.

Art of the investigative interview

With Mark Horvit, University of Missouri and Cheryl Thompson, NPR

Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

You need one final confirmation to run your story. It's the key piece of a months-long project, only one person can provide it, and you've got one shot to get it.

The entire story comes down to The Interview. Will you be ready?

We can help. Sign up for this half-day Master Class in interviewing and get a playbook for getting the information you need.

We'll cover all the crucial steps, from preparation to the conversation, confrontational interviews, talking with survivors, getting the most from witnesses, convincing those who don't want to talk with you and much more.

So the next time you dial that number, knock on that door or corner an official who’s been avoiding you, you’ll be ready.

Managing investigators: Leading those born to challenge authority

With Emma Carew Grovum, Kimbap Media; Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group; Jennifer Forsyth, The New York Times; Cindy Galli, MS Now; Jamie Grey, InvestigateTV; Josh Hinkle, KXAN; Dianna Hunt, ICT; Gonzalo Magana, TEGNA; Kat Stafford, Reuters; Mc Nelly Torres, independent journalst; Nicole Vap, independent journalst

Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Being a news manager is already tough, but what if you supervise investigative journalists? They come with an extra layer of challenges because their very job (and likely their personality) makes them hyper-alert to authority figures. This course is designed to give you some tools and tactics to lead individuals and entire teams of investigators more effectively.

Learn from three investigative managers from different media at different stages of their leadership careers. How did they launch into their roles, and what experience have they gained along the way? This course is for current investigative managers and anyone aspiring to step into such a position in the future.

NEW AT IRE26: For our 10th "Managing Investigators" master class (and our 50th IRE Conference), we're bringing back a BIG group of our past instructors for even more guidance, viewpoints and support! Think of it as Managing Investigators 2.0! More individual time and leaders for coaching!

Topics will include: managing compassionately, hiring challenges, transitioning to management, forging partnerships, building relationships, handling resource cuts, organization/structure, tough decisions/conversations, in-house training/growth, delivering feedback, creating inclusive opportunities, and juggling responsibilities/projects/work.