Dream Labs Masterclass : Sonic Justice

Earshot is the world’s first organization dedicated to using audio in the defense of human and environmental rights. This emerging field, built on over a decade of research, artistic practice, and frontline advocacy, was founded by artist and audio investigator Lawrence Abu Hamdan.

Through pioneering investigations, Earshot has transformed the use of sound—long monopolized by judicial and security institutions—into a tool of empowerment for vulnerable communities. From exposing the unscientific use of accent tests in asylum tribunals, to the acoustic reconstruction of Syria’s Saydnaya prison in collaboration with Amnesty International, and more recently documenting war crimes and environmental destruction, Earshot continues to expand the potential of sound as testimony and evidence.

Sonic Justice offers participants the opportunity to engage with this groundbreaking field and to explore how audio can serve as a creative and investigative tool to amplify the most urgent stories of our time.

2 hours

Tunis

Registration deadline

30-09-2025


Objectives :

  • Demonstrate how sound can be a powerful tool in artistic research, journalism, and human rights.
  • Share the practices and methodologies developed by Earshot.
  • Introduce participants to innovative approaches to listening, documentation, and sonic analysis.

Format:

Presentation and discussion led by three members of the Earshot team : Lawrence Abu Hamdan, Fabio Cervi and Adnan Naqvi.

Eligibility Criteria :

This masterclass is open to: 

  • Visual and sonic artists
  • Journalists
  • Musicians
  • Human rights researchers.

Number of participants : 20

Language : English, with clarifications possible in Shami Arabic and French.

 

Speakers / Trainers


Lawrence Abu Hamdan : is a researcher, filmmaker, artist and activist or as he puts it a ‘Private Ear’. He has over a decade of experience investigating audio and a doctorate from the University of London on the role of sound in legal investigations and political discourse. In 2023 he founded Earshot, the world’s first not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the study of audio for human rights and environmental advocacy. His work has been presented in the form of forensic reports, lectures and live performances, films, publications, and exhibitions all over the world. His investigative work has been used as evidence at the UK Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and in a formal request to the International Criminal Court. His research has played a central role in advocacy campaigns for organisations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Forensic Architecture.

Fabio Cervi : is an Audio Investigator at Earshot. Cervi studied at the Royal College of Art in London where he received a Master of Arts degree in Architecture. His work explores the visualisation of sound and acoustic phenomenon through architectural design and 3D modelling programs. Cervi has undertaken specialized coursework in Forensic Audio Enhancement at the University of Colorado. As an investigator at Earshot, Cervi has worked on over 18 cases including for leading human rights organizations such as B'tselem, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Cervi furthers Earshot's mandate to produce original research by developing digital tools for audio ballistic and eco acoustic application.