Adriano Belisario

Data journalist, researcher, educator

Adriano Belisario combines expertise in communication and data to address important human rights concerns. He is currently part of the Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement, a collaboration between the World Bank and UNHCR. Before this role, he contributed to organizations like Open Knowledge Brazil, Witness, Medialab/UFRJ, Forensic Architecture, UNESCO, Agência Pública and The Intercept Brasil. His publication portfolio includes books, academic articles, and journalistic pieces, and he has been invited to speak at several global events.

Belisario taught data journalism in Brazilian postgraduate courses and holds an MSc in Social Data Science from the Oxford Internet Institute (University of Oxford). While there, he collaborated with Instituto Fogo Cruzado to develop a language model that uses social media data to identify gun violence reports in real time. He also earned an MA in Communication and Culture from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). In partnership with Medialab/UFRJ and Agência Autônoma, Belisario co-developed Documental.xyz, an initiative that combines diverse investigative methods, such as Natural Language Processing, OSINT, and forensic architecture, with storytelling to equip grassroots communities with compelling evidence related to human rights violations.

Awards & Recognitions
  • Bellingcat's technical writing fellowship 2024
  • Finalist — "Social Action" at the Study UK Alumni Award 2024
  • Shortlisted at the Gabo Awards 2021
  • Winner of the Jornalismo-Mosca Award 2021
  • Ling Institute's Visionary Journalist Scholarship 2020
Education
  • Master of Science in Social Data Science (with distinction)
    Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford. 2022–2023.
  • Post-baccalaureate certification (with honors)
    Lede Program. Columbia University of the City of New York. 2021.
  • Masters of Arts in Communication and Culture
    Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. 2016.
  • Bachelor in Social Communication (Journalism)
    Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. 2010.
  • Philosophy (unfinished)
    State University of Rio de Janeiro. 2005–2008.
Courses
  • 2021, online. Mathematics for machine learning specialization. Imperial College London.
  • 2020, São Paulo. Survey design and analysis. IPSA/USP Summer School.
  • 2017, Rio de Janeiro. Reporting Land Rights. Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Professional Experience
  • Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement — Data journalist 2023–Present
  • Medialab/UFRJ — Associate Researcher 2017–2022
  • School of Data Brazil — Program Manager 2018–2022
  • WITNESS — Consultant 2018–2019
  • UNESCO — Consultant 2016–2018
  • Cinema Nosso — Program manager 2015–2017
  • Agência Pública — Editor and reporter 2014–2018
  • Instituto Mais Democracia — Content Manager 2012–2013
  • Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro — Digital Culture Manager 2010–2012
  • Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Pontão da ECO) — Program manager 2009–2012
  • Revista de História da Biblioteca Nacional — Reporter and editor 2008–2010
Teaching Experience
As head of the School of Data Brazil, Adriano created, coordinated, and taught several online and in-person trainings between 2019 and 2022, such as Dados 360, Jornalismo de dados ambientais, and Investigações digitais.
  • Brasiliense Institute of Public Law — Lecturer in data journalism MBA program 2021–2022
  • Higher Education Institute of Brasilia — Lecturer of data journalism 2019
  • University of Texas / Knight Center — Teaching assistant 2019