Overcome 10 Risks of Hiring a Wikipedian in Residence
Hiring a Wikipedian in Residence can provide valuable expertise to an organization and significant impact, but there are potential risks and downsides to consider:
Cost: Hiring a dedicated Wikipedian in Residence may be expensive, especially for smaller organizations with limited budgets. Consider alternatives, such as hiring a part-time Wikipedian in Residence, interns, engaging with volunteers from the Wikipedia community, or pursuing external funding.
Limited scope: A Wikipedian in Residence’s primary focus is on Wikipedia, which may limit their ability to contribute to other projects or tasks within the organization. You can provide the Wikipedian in Residence with additional tasks that are related to their expertise, such as social media outreach or content creation for the organization’s website.
Conflicting interests: The Wikipedian in Residence may face conflicts of interest between their duty to adhere to Wikipedia’s neutrality policy and their responsibility to represent their host organization.
Bias concerns: There may be concerns that the Wikipedian in Residence could inadvertently introduce bias into Wikipedia articles related to the organization, leading to potential reputational risks. Encourage the Wikipedian in Residence to prioritize neutrality and transparency in their Wikipedia contributions, and establish clear communication channels for discussing any potential conflicts.
Community backlash: The Wikipedia community may view the presence of a paid Wikipedian in Residence as a potential breach of the platform’s volunteer-driven nature, leading to negative reactions or disputes. Engage with the Wikipedia community early and transparently, and ensure that the Wikipedian in Residence adheres to Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines.
Time investment: Training and onboarding a Wikipedian in Residence may require significant time and effort, potentially diverting resources from other important tasks. Allocate sufficient time and resources to onboarding and training the Wikipedian in Residence, and involve multiple staff members in the process to distribute the workload.
Restricted impact: The Wikipedian in Residence’s impact on improving the organization’s presence on Wikipedia may be limited by the platform’s strict content guidelines and editing practices. Develop a long-term plan for improving the organization’s presence on Wikipedia that involves multiple contributors, including staff members and volunteers from the Wikipedia community.
Reliance on a single individual: Depending on the Wikipedian in Residence for all Wikipedia-related matters may create an over-reliance on one individual, making it difficult for the organization to maintain its presence on the platform if the Wikipedian in Residence leaves. Reliance on a single individual: Encourage the Wikipedian in Residence to document their processes and share their knowledge with other staff members, and consider hiring additional part-time Wikipedians in Residence to distribute responsibilities.
High expectations: The organization may have unrealistic expectations about the extent to which the Wikipedian in Residence can influence Wikipedia content, leading to potential disappointment or dissatisfaction. High expectations: Set realistic goals for the Wikipedian in Residence’s impact on Wikipedia, and communicate clearly with the organization’s stakeholders about what can and cannot be achieved.
Ethical considerations: Some organizations may have concerns about the ethics of hiring someone to edit Wikipedia on their behalf, given the platform’s commitment to neutrality and the potential for perceived manipulation. Ensure that the organization and the Wikipedian in Residence adhere to Wikipedia’s policies and guidelines on neutrality, conflict of interest, and disclosure.
Best practices for selecting, strategizing with, and supporting a Wikipedian in Residence exist, but they’re not well known or easy to find. Speaking to other organizations that have successfully hired and worked with a Wikipedian in Residence before can lower the risk. Or, talk with a proven Wikipedia strategic consultant to make the experience less stressful and more impactful.
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WikiBlueprint is an open knowledge, open access, and especially Wikipedia consultancy. Reach out at wikiblueprint.com.
