The new Wikimedian in Residence six month post is part of a pilot to help the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) evaluate the opportunities for using Wikimedia to support dissemination of NIHR funded research.
Adam Harangozo, who started in post on Monday 6th December, has been editing Wikimedia projects for more than 10 years and includes in his experience a residency at the Blinken Open Society Archives and various projects across cultural and community settings.
Of the role and opportunity with the National Institute for Health Research, Adam said “I’m very excited about my new role as Wikimedian in residence not only because of my firm belief in the values represented by Wikimedia but because it is really important that large institutions like NIHR recognise Wikipedia and contribute with their research and knowledge. I think scientific institutions need to reflect on what they have to do differently, how to make research more visible and accessible. Opening up to Wikipedia, working together on shared platforms with non-professionals definitely has to be part of this process. I’m more than inspired that I can help guide NIHR in this and I hope that we can make contributions that really matter and bring systematic benefits to both the Wikimedia community and the institution itself. Please do feel free to contact me with any ideas, suggestions, and questions during my residency.”
A study between 2021 and 2017 into the impact of Wikimedians in Residence showed how new audiences were reached and partner organisations were “better able to share their knowledge” through having a Wikimedian in Residence. This initial 6 month pilot will focus on the work through NIHR’s Centre for Engagement and Dissemination launched in early 2020 to “make health and care research representative, relevant and ready for use.”
Wikimedia UK’s Director of Programmes and Evaluation Daria Cybulska highlighted why this pilot and the partnership are critical to how we access health information “A lot of people visit Wikipedia as their first port of call for health information, so it’s important that this content is available, up to date, and written in an accessible way. This residency, through access to the extensive expertise of NIHR’s staff and researchers, will improve the content of Wikimedia pages in the area of health and wellbeing. As a pilot project, we will also explore further opportunities for collaboration.”
Over the next few weeks we will share updates and opportunities to get involved with Adam’s work.