By Rupal Karia, Outreach and Community Coordinator for Wikimedia UK
We currently have 62 trainers in 33 different locations across the country, all involved in Wikimedia work in different ways. Volunteer trainers are at the heart of delivering Wikimedia UK programmes. They act as community leaders, extend our work to underrepresented communities and they train new and existing editors. Based on feedback we received from trainers, we decided to focus on upskilling existing WMUK trainers rather than recruiting and training a new cohort of trainers.
We conducted a survey with WMUK accredited trainers on topics that they would like to learn more about, or that would be useful for their work and the communities they work with. Based on these results we came up with a programme of training which people could join in-person or online, culminating in a hybrid event in Leeds in October 2024. We know meeting in-person allows for trainers to build relationships and make connections with others but not everyone has the flexibility and time to do so, therefore we opted for a mostly hybrid set up where people could join in-person or online to the sessions that were relevant to their work and training needs.
The training was fully funded by WMUK. 16 people attended some or all of the events over a two week period. Most of these sessions were recorded so that those who couldn’t attend had the opportunity to watch and learn in their own time.
Below is a rundown of the programme of events.
Making an impact with minimal time commitments
This session came about due to feedback from trainers and the people they work with who don’t have the time to design and deliver events but want to do something worthwhile and impactful. Over the last few years, we have received feedback that volunteers are struggling to find time to design and run training sessions but still want to be involved within Wikimedia projects. This session was designed to give volunteers ideas on small tasks they can carry out when time allows. It ties in with a wider project we are exploring to have an ongoing microvolunteering task list for volunteers to access and use when they have a little bit of time as well as exploring other ways volunteers can be involved.
How to carry out research to improve the representation of underrepresented groups
This session focussed on the process of creating a worklist for an event or campaign, ways to find gaps on Wikipedia, with tips & suggestions for research strategies and places to go to find sources.
This session ties in with our Strategic Aim of Knowledge Equity. Many of the trainers focus on underrepresented groups and one of the challenges reported by them is knowing what is missing on Wikipedia and then compiling worklists based on this research.
Marketing your events with Dr Lucy Hinnie
Feedback we had from trainers was that although the Train the Trainer course equips them with skills to design and deliver Wiki training events they’d value additional training on how to market events.
Dr Lucy Hinnie discussed her experience of marketing events and wiki influencing people in the Connected Heritage Project, with a particular focus on marketing with low to no budget, and also exploring options other than edit-a-thons / wikithons. We explored pot luck edit-a-thons rather than theme focussed sessions. There was also a space for participants to share their own examples of what has worked or not worked. Lucy also asked participants to reflect on some of the following questions:
- Is this process exploitative or extractive?
- Is my event open and accessible?
- Is my description clear and concise?
- Have I offered something actionable?
- Where do my network and audience intersect?
Open Space
This session was designed to be open in nature, to give people an opportunity to ask questions, to learn about a tool they haven’t used but would like to, to talk about a project they are working on, get support, share ideas and learn from peers. We explored the on-wiki event registration tool, and the process of nominating a featured article or a “Did you Know” Article on the front page of English Wikipedia.
Introduction to Wikidata and batch editing Wikidata using Open Refine
These sessions were led by Dr Sara Thomas and Stuart Prior from WMUK. This session was divided into two strands: Strand 1 aimed at beginners to Wikidata, and Strand 2 to increase existing Wikidata skills in batch editing and item creation using Open Refine.
The OpenRefine tool has received funding and support from the Foundation, including support for a Train the Trainer programme, which Sara attended, and subsequently is now providing training for Wikimedia UK staff, partners and volunteers. OpenRefine is a powerful tool with functionality for data cleaning, as well as reconciliation and batch editing and upload to Wikidata and Wikimedia Commons. Whilst it is not a tool for beginners, and requires existing knowledge of Wikidata and Structured Data for Commons, it is a solid option for volunteers and GLAMs looking to work in batch upload and editing.
Conclusion
It was an inspiring two weeks and it was great to see so much enthusiasm and openness to learning and sharing. Trainers reported they found all aspects of the training useful and that they found the in-person sessions supportive and valuable, as a way of meeting other trainers and sharing ideas and experiences.
“It was really good to meet up with other trainers and share experiences too.”
One of our trainers wrote a blog post about the training which can be read here.
Trainers have already started implementing what they have learned from the sessions. We will follow up with participants as to what they need to embed learning as well as additional training going forwards, and look at how WMUK can support that process for them.
“… I’ve continued to work through the Open Refine work since returning from Leeds.”
“I came away with loads of ideas for planning future engagement with our Wikipedia network and much more confident that this is possible in the time I have available for it. It was also great to hear from other people during the sessions and be inspired by the projects they’re involved in and knowledge they have.”
If you are interested in becoming a WMUK trainer, our next Train the Trainer (for new trainers) will take place in 2025. If you would like to find out more about becoming a WMUK trainer or would like to register your interest email rupal.karia@wikimedia.org.uk.