2014-15 Wikimedians in Residence applications
A Wikimedian in Residence (WIR) is a role in which a Wikimedia editor accepts a placement with an institution to facilitate close working relationship between Wikimedia movement and the institution through a range of activities, both internal and public-facing. These can include:
- Organise outreach work to encourage understanding and development of Wikimedia projects internally and externally
- Explore sharing institution's digital resources on Wikimedia Commons
- Organise events to create or expand existing articles about notable items or subjects of specific relevance to the collection and the organisation's expertise
- Work with institution's staff to explain Wikipedia's and sister projects' practices and how they might be able to contribute. This can be done via events, workshops, producing case study and documentation content
- Develop other projects supporting open knowledge in the UK.
These activities can focus on engagement with Wikipedia, but are encouraged to take a broader scope.
For further details of what this means, you can read the page at Outreach - Wikipedians in Residence. You are also encouraged to explore projects delivered by past and current UK Wikimedians in Residence by reading their project pages linked from here.
Wikimedia UK has a limited budget to support Wikimedians in Residence up until January 31st 2015. We expect to allocate funds throughout 2014-15 budget to continue the work. Last year our average grant for a WIR was £5,000.
We are now seeking institutions to make bids for these positions. This could be for full or part-time posts - they could be fully or part funded by your institution, or in exceptional circumstances WMUK would consider paying for the post.
Why apply
Hosting the Wikimedian in Residence in house can be one of the best ways to explore how your institutions can engage with the 6th most visited website in the world. They will add capacity to allow for delivery of open knowledge projects that may not have been possible before.
Who can apply
- Any institution that wants to further its open knowledge work by engaging with Wikimedia, and believes a WIR project is the most suitable way to achieve that.
- Past experience of engagement with Wikipedia projects and the open movement will be a benefit.
- We have been focusing on cultural institutions; however, organisations with a different focus (e.g. education) are also very welcome.
- Importantly, we are looking for projects that are aiming to deliver big impact to the Wikimedia projects. Applicants are strongly recommended to consider how their project will make an impact on the most important content on Wikipedia (such as these vital articles) and on the sister Wikimedia projects.
How to apply
We would like institutions interested to contact daria.cybulska
wikimedia.org.uk for an application form. The closing date for expressions of interest will be February 23rd at 5pm. Please return completed forms to daria.cybulskawikimedia.org.uk
The decision will be made by a panel mid March 2014. We would like the Residencies to start soon afterwards.
When applying, you will need to provide the following information:
- Name of institution
- Its aim and purpose
- Contact details of the institution and the name of someone to liaise with
- Whether they are willing to fund or part fund the post
- Whether this post would be full or part-time and how long it would last
- What support the person would be offered
- How the institution would see the WiR recruited and managed
- An explanation of how they see the Wikipedian in Residence working with the institution and its research/community/collections
- Whether this builds on any existing programs or work with the Wikimedia community or other open content projects.
- Confirmation that they, and specifically the person who will be managing the Wikipedian in Residence, understand Wikipedia's policies on conflict of interest and how this interacts with the resident's role.
Interested organisations are welcomed to seek additional information about the possible project before submitting the application by contacting Wikimedia UK office or Wikimedia volunteers.
draft blog post
We’re looking for Wikimedian in Residence projects!
Wikimedia UK is looking for UK institutions eager to work with us by hosting Wikimedian in Residence posts. This is one of the most effective ways to explore how your institutions can engage with the 6th most visited website in the world. The resident will add capacity to allow for delivery of open knowledge projects that may not have been possible before.
Our budget is limited but there is great scope for flexibility. These posts could be for one day a week, limited term posts, based at home – or full time positions at an institution, like the previous project at the British Library. We are looking for projects that are aiming to deliver big impact to the Wikimedia projects. We will be pleased to see applications from institutions with whom we have already begun a positive relationship – but please do note that the applications have to be from the institutions, rather than individual volunteers. Applicants are strongly recommended to consider how their project will make an impact on the most important content on Wikipedia (such as these vital articles).
Time is short so we need applications to be received by 5pm on 23rd February. Please contact daria.cybulskawikimedia.org.uk for an application form. Daria will be convening a panel to make recommendations to the Wikimedia UK board in March. Please also feel free to request more information by emailing Daria or calling Wikimedia UK office on 020 7065 0990.
For background information, including who should apply and why, please visit 2014-15 Wikimedians in Residence applications. You can read about some excellent previous Wikimedian in Residence projects at xxxxxxxxxxx
Tags: GLAM, recruitment, Wikipedian in residence