What is a Wikipedian in Residence?
A Wikipedian in Residence is a person, usually an experienced Wikipedia editor, who works with an organization or institution to facilitate collaborations between that organization and the Wikipedia community. The primary goal is to improve the quality and quantity of information on Wikipedia and its sister projects by leveraging the resources, expertise, and collections of the partnering institution.
A Wikipedian in Residence plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Wikipedia community and external organizations. They contribute to expanding the availability of reliable, verifiable, and high-quality information on Wikipedia, promoting free access to knowledge and fostering collaboration between diverse institutions and the Wikimedia movement.
The role and responsibilities of a Wikipedian in Residence may vary depending on the organization and the individual, but typically they include:
Content creation and improvement: Working with the organization’s staff and subject matter experts to identify topics that could benefit from new or improved Wikipedia articles, and providing guidance on how to create, edit, and maintain them.
Training and support: Conducting workshops and training sessions for the organization’s staff and volunteers, as well as the wider public, to teach them how to contribute to Wikipedia and its sister projects.
Outreach and engagement: Facilitating communication and collaboration between the organization and the Wikipedia community, including organizing edit-a-thons, writing blog posts, and participating in relevant online discussions.
Content donation and licensing: Helping the organization to release its content (such as images, videos, or data) under open licenses, making it available for use on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
Wikimedia projects integration: A Wikipedian in Residence can help an organization understand and engage with various Wikimedia projects, such as Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikisource. They can advise on how the organization’s resources can be effectively integrated and used within these projects.
Inter-institutional collaboration: By working closely with other institutions that have Wikipedians in Residence or are part of the broader Wikimedia community, a Wikipedian in Residence can facilitate the sharing of best practices, ideas, and resources. This can lead to stronger collaborations and partnerships.
Promoting open knowledge and open access: A Wikipedian in Residence can act as an advocate for open access, open data, and open educational resources within their host institution. They can help raise awareness of the importance of free access to knowledge and promote the adoption of open standards and practices.
Building a sustainable community: Wikipedians in Residence can help create a long-lasting relationship between their host organization and the Wikipedia community. By engaging staff and volunteers, they can help foster a culture of collaboration and contribution, ensuring the organization’s continued presence and impact on Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects.
Developing tailored resources: Wikipedians in Residence can create customized resources, such as style guides, templates, and project pages, to support their host organization’s Wikipedia activities. These resources can help streamline the editing process and improve the quality of contributions.
Evaluating impact: Assessing the outcomes and effectiveness of the Wikipedian in Residence program and providing recommendations for future improvements.
A Wikipedian in Residence program can have wide-ranging, long-term impacts for both the host organization and the Wikimedia community. Here are some additional benefits and aspects of the role:
Building trust and credibility: By working closely with an organization, a Wikipedian in Residence can help address any misconceptions or concerns about Wikipedia’s reliability and trustworthiness. This can lead to greater confidence in the platform and more active engagement from the organization’s staff and members.
Encouraging diversity and inclusion: A Wikipedian in Residence can promote diversity and inclusion within the Wikimedia projects by encouraging contributions from underrepresented groups, highlighting diverse perspectives, and creating content that addresses gaps in coverage.
Enhancing public engagement: By collaborating on events like edit-a-thons and workshops, a Wikipedian in Residence can help raise public awareness about the organization’s work and increase engagement with its resources, collections, and programs.
Sharing expertise: As experienced Wikipedia editors, Wikipedians in Residence can share their knowledge of Wikipedia policies, guidelines, and best practices with the organization’s staff and members. This can lead to more effective and impactful contributions to Wikipedia and its sister projects.
Strengthening the Wikimedia community: By connecting their host organization with the broader Wikimedia movement, a Wikipedian in Residence can help build a stronger, more collaborative global community. They can facilitate the exchange of ideas, resources, and experiences across borders, fostering international cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
Monitoring and reporting: Wikipedians in Residence can help organizations track the impact of their Wikipedia-related activities by monitoring page views, edits, and other relevant metrics. They can also provide regular reports on the program’s progress and achievements, which can be used for internal evaluation and external communication purposes.
Identifying new opportunities: As they gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s work and resources, Wikipedians in Residence can identify new opportunities for collaboration and content creation. They can help the organization explore innovative ways to engage with the Wikimedia projects and expand its reach and impact.
In summary, a Wikipedian in Residence serves as a vital link between their host organization and the Wikimedia community, fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual understanding. Their work not only improves the quality and scope of content on Wikipedia and its sister projects but also helps their host organization become a more active participant in the global movement for free access to knowledge.
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WikiBlueprint is an open knowledge, open access, and especially Wikipedia consultancy. Reach out at wikiblueprint.com.