WikiCon 2024 Wrap Up
As we conclude our recent WikiCon Australia conference in Adelaide/Tarndanya, we want to take a moment to reflect on the rich discussions, key insights, and collaborative spirit that emerged over the weekend. From conversations about cultural sensitivity to the intricacies of managing conflict of interest on Wikipedia, the event provided fertile ground for learning and growth within our Australian editing community.
Exploring Adelaide and a look at the South Australian Museum
Nearly 50 Wikimedians from all over Australia gathered in Adelaide on the weekend of Saturday, 23 November 2024, to meet up with old friends and make a few new ones as they explored the sights of Adelaide together.
An enthusiastic group met the day before the conference to explore Adelaide and participate in a 'backstage pass' of the South Australian Museum. Thank you to Adam and Keith from the museum for being such gracious hosts and sharing your knowledge with us.
On the day of WikiCon, we were warmly Welcomed to Kaurna Country by Elaine Magias, a Kaurna - Narungga Woman, who taught us some simple Kaurna greetings and set us up for a day of reflecting on the importance of acknowledging Country, its people and the living culture of First Nations people. Thank you for your Welcome, Elaine.
Noongarpedia and Collaborative Knowledge
One of the standout sessions of the day focused on the Noongarpedia initiative, where Ingrid Cumming and Jennie Buchanan shared valuable lessons on relationship building with First Nations communities. Key takeaways included the importance of trust, respect, and finding ways of engaging with existing cultural structures.
Jennie and Ingrid compared Noongarpedia to being "pickled" in the Wikimedia Incubator project, just like the frog we were introduced to at Friday's behind-the-scenes tour of the SA Museum. It is not just retained, but can also be edited and improved again when the time and environment is right. Thank you to Jennie and Ingrid for sharing your insights, answering our questions and joining in all the fun of WikiCon Australia!
This was followed by an engaging session from Caddie Brain about the tension between the limited availability of citations from a local perspective and the knowledge of local community members who want to 'correct the record'. She highlighted the importance of us as a community to ask, "What if...". What if we advocated more? What if we led and not followed? What if we allowed space to explore complexities and persisted more when the conversations got tough? She encouraged the combination of the technical skills and knowledge of the Australian editing community to come together to support the efforts of local knowledge transmission.
Measuring progress with Wikidata and avoiding conflicts of interest
Toby Hudson led an interesting session on measuring the progress of Australian content through Wikidata. He showcased resources and tools that editors can leverage to enhance their contributions. Attendees also learnt about the significance of the Wikidata Project for Australia, which boasts over 250,000 items!
Bilby discussed the ethical implications of editing, particularly conflict of interest (COI). He provided guidelines for managing COI and stressed that awareness and transparency are crucial for maintaining public trust in Wikipedia articles. Feedback on both sessions was overwhelming, and we hope to be able to organise more time to have Toby and Bilby share their knowledge with us again soon.
Cultural Sensitivity Guidelines
Alice Woods presented some essential guidelines for First Nations collection descriptions that emphasized ethical documentation practices. The session showcased collections that underscore the historical richness of First Nations cultures and the significance of preserving these narratives, using the example of the recent project with the Alice Springs Public Library collections. The GLAMorgan tool was introduced as a way to gauge the impact of photographs and articles, fostering engagement and accountability among contributors.
There was something for everyone
Other sessions showcased the rich array of knowledge and experience we have in the Australian Wikimedia community. Some sessions were more technically advanced, while some guided new editors to ask more experienced editors for help and advice.
Jack Nunn introduced 'Standardised Data on Initiatives' (STARDIT) and the partnership with Wikimedia Australia, while Oronsay demonstrated where the gender statistics come from using Humaniki.
Pru Mitchell gave an in-depth presentation on where to find good sources for citations and emphasised how we are only as good as our sources, and Margaret Donald led a hands-on session on how to find and add upload taxon images from public websites.
Lisa Maule joined us from New Zealand to share the New Zealand Wikimedia committee's decolonisation journey through a hands-on collage activity where participants could cut, glue, fold, and colour their way through the process. JarrahTree provided practical advice on how to read and deconstruct a Wikipedia page and also tested our Wiki knowledge in a quiz.
Finally, Bahnfrend showed how Wikimedia Commons categories work, and Peter shared their first Wikimania experience in Katowice , Poland.
Gratitude and Reflection
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, speakers, and participants for your invaluable contributions throughout the conference. Your insights and engagement have inspired our discussions and created a safe space for learning.
As we move forward, we encourage everyone to reflect on your learnings and consider how you might apply them in your work on Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikisource, Noongarpedia and beyond. Whether it's honoring cultural sensitivities, managing conflicts of interest, or contributing to projects like Noongarpedia or Wikidata, each of us plays a vital role in shaping a more inclusive and accurate representation of Australian knowledge.
If you attended WikiCon Australia 2024 in Adelaide, we'd love to hear your feedback, and thank you once again for being part of our WikiCon Australia 2024 journey!