Training & Support
Enabling digital platform observability
Learn about the tools and methods for digital observation
Learning how to work with digital media data can be daunting – the scale and diversity of data along with the challenge of accessing and collecting data requires some time to master. However it is still possible to gain an understanding and foundational knowledge about methods for working with digital platform data and integrate them into your research over a short period.
To accommodate this, the AIO is developing a range of training activities and individual consultations, to support researchers in their journey.
Workshops, presentations and webinars
The AIO team regularly delivers hands-on training, workshops, and presentations at major national events, summer schools, and conferences. Recent examples include:
- ResBaz Queensland – interactive workshops on data donation tools, web archiving, and the AIO dashboard.
- ARDC HASS and Indigenous Research Data Commons events – presentations and training at the annual Summer School.
- Webinars and special sessions, such as “Doing Digital Platforms Research with the Australian Internet Observatory”, covering data donation, mixed-methods approaches, interviews, and surveys.
- Conferences (AANZCA, APSA, SciDataCon, and others).
The sessions are collaborative, practical, and suitable for researchers at different levels.
Online resources
We are currently developing online learning materials that will give researchers of all backgrounds clear, practical pathways into digital platform research. Our platform will feature:
- Modules plus an Overview module that maps out the full journey, from understanding the AIO infrastructure and the digital platform landscape, to formulating research questions around data, choosing the right methods, applying ethical frameworks, working with Data Download Packages, and building mixed-methods designs.
- As our platform grows, we will provide more real-world examples and research, tool walkthroughs, and direct links to further resources and reading.
AIO Library will be available soon
Summer Institute for Computational Social Science, Melbourne 2026
In 2026 AIO and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S) were co-hosting the famous Summer Institute for Computational Social Science!
The school run from 22 June to 3 July 2026 in Melbourne – so definitely more of a Winter school! It brings together PhD candidates and early-career researchers for intensive training in computational methods for studying society.
Want to start learning? Check out our resources.
Talk to us!
If you have a research idea, an ongoing project, or you are looking for support and advice in your grant application, please reach out to us!
- Send us an email using our contact page or contact our Research Training Manager, Bogdan Mamaev.
- Find us at an upcoming event – check out the News & Events page.
- Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on future training and AIO events.
The AIO’s training and outreach activities are part of our commitment to making high-quality digital platform research accessible, ethical, and impactful across all disciplines. We are here to support you!