A background briefing
For a live story, programme or meeting. Daniel can explain what the published evidence supports, where accounts conflict and which questions remain open.
Briefing desk
Briefings tied to published evidence.
For editors, producers and researchers who need a source trail, a narrow challenge or a guest who can explain where public accounts conflict.
Daniel answers directly
Send a briefing requestSend one question and a deadline. Daniel will state what the published evidence supports, where it stops and whether he can help.
What the desk offers
Start with one clear question.
A source and method exchange
For researchers testing a route, claim, map or source list. Sahel Futures will share traceable public material and welcomes corrections with evidence.
One question from the Sahel
Proposed feature, not yet launched: a focused conversation with a researcher or practitioner. No interview series or verified transcript service is currently available.
Make a useful request
Send four things.
- 01The question you need answered.
- 02The country, border area or route in scope.
- 03Your deadline and intended format.
- 04The evidence, claim or draft you want checked.
Current briefing topics
Three topics in the published series
Each topic starts from a published paper and comes with its source trail, method note and evidence limit.
- 01
Cocaine seizures and evidence
What can seizure data establish about a case, and what evidence is needed to identify ownership or protection?
Read the source paper - 02
Barrick’s Mali restart
What do Q2 output, operating margins and valuation assumptions tell us about Loulo-Gounkoto—and which costs sit outside the headline margin?
Read the source paper - 03
Mali’s war at the Mauritanian border
How do population definitions and local health-service records inform the response in Hodh Chargui?
Read the source paper
What Daniel can do
Work through public evidence.
Daniel can discuss Sahel Futures research, reconstruct a claim from sources, explain confidence and uncertainty, and prepare concise background notes. He can speak on the record about work published under his name.
What the desk cannot do
Stand in for field reporting.
Sahel Futures cannot verify an incident on the ground, speak for affected communities or promise source protection infrastructure it does not have. Do not send sensitive unpublished material before agreeing how it will be handled.
Contact
Tell Daniel what you are working on.
Use Daniel's portfolio contact route. Put “Sahel Futures briefing” in the subject or first line, then include the four items above. A short, specific request is easiest to answer.
Contact Daniel through his portfolioThis opens sciencedaniel.ca in a new tab. No fee is charged for a short background conversation. Larger requests require a written scope.
Research process
Sources and editorial standards
Requests should start with a specific article or source question. Daniel will confirm the scope and checks he can undertake.
Read the editorial standards