Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Program

Latest revision as of 04:30, 11 December 2023

Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Program Australia

The Wikimedian in Residence (WiR) and the Wikimedia Visiting Scholars programs have been running internationally and in Australia since 2010. They were developed to support contributions and enhance access to quality research sources, expert knowledge and technical innovations through partnerships with universities, libraries, museums and other public institutions.

Residencies vary from institution to institution. A Wikimedian in Residence can work with staff, volunteers, students and the wider community to train in the Wikimedia projects, advocate for free sharing of knowledge, or help an organisation to share their collections openly.

The aim of these programs is to engage organisations to host editors, content creators, or community engagement professionals to work on Wikimedia related projects for a period of time - either in paid or voluntary positions.

Current Wikimedia Australia Residencies

Australia has several active residencies in 2023.

Amanda Lawrence is at ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S). Read more about their work here.

Bianca Valentino is a First Nations Wikipedian in Residence at State Library Queensland working on The Record: Australian Music On Wikipedia, a partnership between Wikimedia Australia and Australia Council for the Arts to increase the number of Wikipedia articles about Australian music.

The University of Divinity hosts a Wikipedian in Residence to add content to Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikisource for the Australian Women in Religion project.

ACMI has engaged a Wikimedian in Residence to expand Wikipedia content and integrate Wikidata content within the ACMI website.

Past Australian Residencies

Wikimedia Australia’s past residencies have worked with the State Library of New South Wales, State Library of Queensland, Australian Paralympic Committee, and Museum of Perth.

In 2022, James Gaunt was based at the Australian Music Vault adding content to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. Read more about their work here.

Examples of Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Programs around the world

At Kansas City Public Library in 2021, Miranda Pratt became the first Wikipedian-In-Residence appointed by a US public library. They held regular editathons for library patrons to edit Wikipedia pages on subjects of their choosing.
The University of Edinburgh was the first university in the UK to employ a university-wide Wikimedian in Residence in 2019. The WiR assisted in embedding Wikimedia projects into courses, including a project for students to translate Wikipedia articles into different languages.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art teamed with their WiR to put 375,000 images into the public-domain so they could be used on Wikimedia Commons in 2017. They hosted editathons to put the images on relevant Wikipedia pages.
Dr Martin Poulter held transcribe-a-thons for his WIR at Oxford University libraries in 2016, where volunteers transcribed text from the libraries archives onto Wikisource, like this poem from Byron.

Read more examples about different Wikimedia residencies from around the world here.

Guide to best practice for Partner Projects and Wikipedians in Residence

Consider and plan:

Identify the goals for the project/resident
On-wiki experience of resident (training can be provided by WMAU)
Confirm the format: duration, hours per week etc.
Whether additional funding available from your organisation (or in kind support, eg, whether a designated workspace and/or computing or scanning equipment is available)
Permissions for access to resources or collections
Two way collaboration and information sharing between your organisation and WMAU
Designate a key contact person within your organisation
Create a plan for the WiR role, to identify the focus and success criteria with scope for adapting as the residency develops.
Outline of broader engagement activities (eg, editathon, information sessions, training of staff/public, social media campaigns, media coverage, etc)
Understanding of Conflict of Interest policies, and other related on-wiki policies. (desirable)

Want to apply for a Wikimedia Resident or Scholar Programs?

We've put together everything you need to know to be part of these programs here.

Applying for a WiR or Scholarship Further information on Wikimedians in Residence and Scholars.

Our Scholarship Policy Policy for Australian scholarships to attend Wikimania or equivalent conference related to Wikimedia Australia's mission

Finding Funding Major and Minor funding rounds, volunteer support program, and research funds.

After reading that page, If you’re interested in hosting a WiR/Scholar, or interested in becoming one, please contact: contact@wikimedia.org.au

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Program Australia ==
+The Wikimedian in Residence (WiR) and the Wikimedia Visiting Scholars programs have been running internationally and in Australia since 2010. They were developed to support contributions and enhance access to quality research sources, expert knowledge and technical innovations through partnerships with universities, libraries, museums and other public institutions.
-The Wikimedia community has developed a number of programs to support contributions across a range of areas and enhance access to quality research sources, expert knowledge and technical innovations through partnerships with universities, libraries, museums and other public institutions. Key initiatives that support these activities are the Wikimedian in Residence (WiR) and the Wikimedia Visiting Scholars programs which have been running internationally and in Australia since 2010.
+Residencies vary from institution to institution. A Wikimedian in Residence can work with staff, volunteers, students and the wider community to train in the Wikimedia projects, advocate for free sharing of knowledge, or help an organisation to share their collections openly.
-The aim of a Wikimedian in residence or a visiting scholar/researcher program is to engage organisations to host editors, content creators or community engagement professionals to work on Wikimedia related projects for a period of time - either in paid or voluntary positions.
+The aim of these programs is to engage organisations to host editors, content creators, or community engagement professionals to work on Wikimedia related projects for a period of time - either in paid or voluntary positions.
-'''Wikimedian in Residence (WiR)''' is the most well-established and flexible model for organisations to support Wikimedia activities. WiRs may be hosted by a range of institutions such as universities, research organisations, museums and libraries, may work on any Wikimedia platform, and undertake a variety of roles. Examples include writing and editing Wikipedia articles, managing dataset uploads on Wikidata, image and non-text media uploads on Wiki Commons, collecting audience engagement metrics or running edit-a-thons. WiRs are usually in paid positions for a set period of time supported by their host organisation often employed or contracted in research analyst, associate or communications positions.
+=== Current Wikimedia Australia Residencies ===
-https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedian_in_residence
+Australia has several active residencies in 2023.
-'''Wikimedia Visiting Scholars''' are usually hosted by a university or library which  provides access to institutional collections to support Wikipedia editors or other Wikimedia contributions to develop or enhance content. Scholars are generally unpaid positions but may receive an honorarium. These positions provide expert editors with access to both knowledge resources and a community of experts.
+* '''Amanda Lawrence''' is at ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society (ADM+S). Read more about their work [[ADM+S Wikimedian-in-Residence Program|here]].
-=== Guidelines ===
+*'''Bianca Valentino''' is a [[Announcing our First Nations Wikipedian In Residence|First Nations Wikipedian in Residence]] at State Library Queensland working on [[The Record: Australian Music On Wikipedia]], a partnership between Wikimedia Australia and Australia Council for the Arts to increase the number of Wikipedia articles about Australian music.
-==== Support ====
+*'''[[University of Divinity|The University of Divinity]]''' hosts a [[officialwiki:Adding_Australian_Women_in_Religion_to_more_Wikimedia_projects|Wikipedian in Residence]] to add content to Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikisource for the Australian Women in Religion project.
-The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and Wikimedia Australia (WMAU) support institutional partnerships where organisations engage in sharing information, comply with the community rules, participate in social discourse, and support Wikimedia’s mission and values. In all cases it is important that the host institution engages with the Wikimedian and that the purpose is to develop impartial knowledge resources of value to the wider community as well as the institution.
+* '''ACMI''' has engaged a [[officialwiki:Linking_ACMI_to_Wikidata|Wikimedian in Residence]] to expand Wikipedia content and integrate Wikidata content within the ACMI website.
-Extensive support and information is also available online on how to edit and participate in Wikimedia platforms and the Wikimedia Australia committee and community will provide ongoing support and advice to the host organisation and the WiR/Scholar over the course of the residency as far as practicable. Depending on the nature of the role mentorships may be able to be provided by expert community members.
+===Past Australian Residencies===
-WiRs/Scholar roles may be initiated by individuals, groups or institutions and do not need to be approved by WMAU or the WMF however we recommend consulting with the WMAU committee and posting details on WMAU and WMF websites to promote the program and enhance engagement and community support.
+Wikimedia Australia’s past residencies have worked with the [[w:Wikipedia:GLAM/State_Library_of_New_South_Wales|State Library of New South Wales]], [[w:Wikipedia:GLAM/State_Library_of_Queensland/First_World_War_Wikipedian_in_Residence|State Library of Queensland]], [https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/The_History_of_the_Paralympic_Movement_in_Australia Australian Paralympic Committee], and [[w:Wikipedia:GLAM/Museum_of_Perth|Museum of Perth]].
-==== Duration ====
+In 2022, James Gaunt was based at the Australian Music Vault adding content to Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. Read more about their work [[Wikimedian In Residence Wrap Up|here]].
-Most residencies and scholar roles are for at least 3 months and may go for 12 months or longer. A regular weekly time commitment is required and WiRs or Scholars may be engaged on a full-time or part-time basis. At least 1 day per week is recommended for WiRs while scholar roles may be more ad hoc.
+=== Examples of Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Programs around the world ===
-==== Establishing a WiR/Scholar at your organisation ====
+* At Kansas City Public Library in 2021, [https://www.kcur.org/podcast/up-to-date/2021-08-05/kansas-city-public-library-hires-a-dedicated-wikipedian-in-residence Miranda Pratt became the first Wikipedian-In-Residence appointed by a US public library]. They held regular editathons for library patrons to edit Wikipedia pages on subjects of their choosing.
+* The University of Edinburgh was the [https://thinking.is.ed.ac.uk/wir/tag/university-of-edinburgh first university in the UK to employ a university-wide Wikimedian in Residence] in 2019. The WiR assisted in embedding Wikimedia projects into courses, including a project for students to translate Wikipedia articles into different languages.
+* The Metropolitan Museum of Art teamed with their WiR to put [https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/collection-insights/2017/wikimedian-in-residence 375,000 images into the public-domain] so they could be used on Wikimedia Commons in 2017. They hosted editathons to put the images on relevant Wikipedia pages.
+* Dr Martin Poulter [[w:Wikipedia:GLAM/Bodleian/Final_report|held transcribe-a-thons]] for his WIR at [[w:Wikipedia:GLAM/Bodleian|Oxford University libraries]] in 2016, where volunteers transcribed text from the libraries archives onto Wikisource, like [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Rainbow_(Byron) this poem from Byron].
-* Identify the goals for the resident/scholar
+Read more examples about different Wikimedia residencies from around the world [https://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikipedian_in_Residence here].
-* Confirm the format: duration, hours per week etc.
-* Secure funds and permissions for access to resources
-* Contact WMAU for advice and promotion
-* Recruit a resident/scholar
-* Undertake and support the activities of the residency program across the organisation and with the Wikimedia Australia community
-* Monitor and receive progress reports and final report as required.
-==== Institution responsibilities: ====
+{{anchor|Best Practice}}
+=== Guide to best practice for Partner Projects and Wikipedians in Residence ===
+''Consider and plan'':
-* Designate a key contact person for the role to help the WiR/Scholar get connected and familiar with the organisation’s staff, research interests and resources.
+* Identify the goals for the project/resident
-* Create a plan for the WiR role, focus and success criteria with scope for adapting as the residency develops.
+* On-wiki experience of resident  (training can be provided by WMAU)
-* Designate a workspace and computing equipment if required.
+* Confirm the format: duration, hours per week etc.
-* Support some level of institutional and broader engagement activities
+* Whether additional funding available from your organisation (or in kind support, eg, whether a designated workspace and/or computing or scanning equipment is available)
-* Understand what is acceptable and not acceptable within Conflict of Interest policies, and other related on-wiki policies.
+* Permissions for access to resources or collections
+* Two way collaboration and information sharing between your organisation and WMAU
+* Designate a key contact person within your organisation
+* Create a plan for the WiR role, to identify the focus and success criteria with scope for adapting as the residency develops.
+* Outline of broader engagement activities (eg, editathon, information sessions, training of staff/public, social media campaigns, media coverage, etc)
+* Understanding of Conflict of Interest policies, and other related on-wiki policies. (desirable)
-==== Who can be a WiR/Scholar? ====
+===Want to apply for a Wikimedia Resident or Scholar Programs?===
+We've put together everything you need to know to be part of these programs [[Applying For Wikimedia Resident and Scholar Programs|here]].
-WiRs/Scholars may be experienced contributors to Wikimedia platforms or inexperienced but with other relevant skills valuable for the host organisation. Several characteristics make especially effective Wikimedians in Residence:
+{{#linkcards:
-* Experience or a demonstrated willingness to learn how to work with digital or online communities or with volunteer organising.
+ | link1  = Applying_For_Wikimedia_Resident_and_Scholar_Programs
-* Experience communicating with different kinds of audiences.
+ | title1 = Applying for a WiR or Scholarship
-* Ability to learn and teach technical skills and community dynamics.
+ | image1 = Bianca_WIR_SLQ_2023.png
-* Experience working with professionals from the kinds of professional communities at or supported by the institution.
+ | body1  = Further information on Wikimedians in Residence and Scholars.
-* Comfort and experience doing writing and research.
-* Comfort with technology, and contributing to social media and online platforms.
-==== Funding ====
+ | link2  = Scholarships_Policy
+ | title2 = Our Scholarship Policy
+ | image2 = Participants at the Know My Name Edit-a-thon Canberra 4.jpg
+ | body2  = Policy for Australian scholarships to attend Wikimania or equivalent conference related to Wikimedia Australia's mission
-WiRs/Scholars may be paid or unpaid positions depending on the program adopted with funds provided by the host institution. External funding may be available from Wikimedia Australia in the form of a grant or co-funding depending on the nature of the project and available funds. Financial support for public events and edit-a-thons may also be provided.
+ | link3  = Opportunities
+ | title3 = Finding Funding
+ | image3 = Project Partners 2024.png
+ | body3  = Major and Minor funding rounds, volunteer support program, and research funds.
+}}
-==== Conflict of interest ====
+After reading that page, If you’re interested in hosting a WiR/Scholar, or interested in becoming one, please contact: [mailto:contact@wikimedia.org.au contact@wikimedia.org.au]
-Wikipedia has a “policy with legal implications” on disclosure of paid contributions and a conflict of interest behavioral guideline. However well-established program procedures are in place for identifying a WiR and guidelines on ensuring compliance with WMF rules.
+[[Category:Wikimedian in Residence]]
-=== More information: ===
-* [https://wikimedia.org.au Wikimedia Australia Wikimedia in Residence page on Meta wiki]
-* [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedians_in_Residence_Exchange_Network Wikimedians in Residence Exchange Network]
-* [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedian_in_residence/Creating_a_Wikimedian_in_Residence_position Creating a Wikimedian in Residence position practical how-to guide]
-* [https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikimedian_in_residence#Full_list_of_past_and_present_WiRs Full list of Wikimedians in residence]
-* Wikipedia page on Visiting Scholars: How to become a Visiting Scholar
-* [http://wikiedu.org/visitingscholars Wikimedia Education Foundation Visiting Scholars Program (US based program)]