New Forms of International Community-Engaged Learning: Unveiling the Benefits and Limitations of a Digital Open-Source Global Justice Investigations Lab

Globalization and digital technology have transformed how knowledge is shared, but they have also amplified the spread of misinformation— challenges now intensified by advances in artificial intelligence. To navigate this landscape, students must develop digital literacy and learn to critically assess open-source materials. One key area is digital open-source investigation (OSI), which teaches students to identify, collect, verify, and analyze materials like news reports, social media posts, and satellite imagery. These skills are essential for addressing contemporary global issues. This article explores the benefits and limitations of Utrecht University’s 2023–2024 digital OSI Lab, developed within the framework of international community-engaged learning (ICEL). Using qualitative analysis, including student surveys and reflections, we found that students of this lab not only gained a deeper understanding of global justice but also developed greater awareness of their own positionality within complex global contexts—an outcome fostered through structured reflection and experiential learning.