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.

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TtT trains volunteers who are keen to deliver Wikipedia editing events. Volunteer trainers play a key role in the delivery of Wikimedia UK programmes. They extend our work to underrepresented communities and help them be part of Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia free knowledge projects. They train new and existing editors across the country. Demand for training often outstrips staff capacity to fulfil, and we’re conscious that our existing networks do not always allow us to reach all the communities with whom we’d like to work.

This training will equip candidate trainers with the skills, experience and resources to deliver a standard ‘Introduction to Wikipedia’ editathon. We will look to discuss both online and in-person events during the training.

We will have another session on ‘Developing Community Partnerships’ focusing on establishing partnerships with new communities. This session is open to applications from accredited trainers as well. It will also be an opportunity for candidate and accredited trainers to get to know each other.

Expressions of interest are welcomed from all. However, given the current demographic mix of our training network, we are particularly interested in hearing from Black, Asian and minority groups; women; and members of LGBT+ community.

The in-person training will take place in London. We will cover travel and accommodation costs, and will provide lunch and refreshments.

Course content and key dates

• 1.12.2022 Thursday/18:00-20:30/online: Brief – mockup editathon
• 3.12.2022 Saturday/10:00-16:00/in-person: Debrief – mockup editathon & Theory of online and in-person training
• 4.12.2022 Sunday/10:00-16:00/in-person: Developing Community Partnerships

What you could expect from us

• Full training and support to deliver a standard ‘Introduction to Wikipedia’ editathon and similar events
• Access to event materials
• Ongoing support
• Volunteer expenses where appropriate
• Job references upon request

What we would expect from you

• Familiarity with, or desire to increase your knowledge of the Wikimedia Projects, particularly Wikipedia. Pre-course support can be provided if you feel that you would benefit from this in order to fully participate in the training
• Full attendance at the training course
• To lead training for a minimum of 2 events per year. This would be a mixture of third party events which we would field to you, and those you would organise yourself. Please note that we do receive requests for training to be delivered within office hours
• To be responsive to communication from Wikimedia UK staff and fellow volunteers
• To complete basic reporting, including returning sign up information
• To represent Wikimedia UK well during the time in which you are volunteering
• To adhere to our Safe Spaces policy, and the Code of Conduct

How to apply

Places are limited to make sure that each participant gets individual attention and feedback, so please apply via the following forms to express your interest. Call for interest will close on the 28th of October. You will hear from us by the 4th of November to confirm your place.

Candidate trainers application form

Accredited trainers application form

Further information

The Wikimedia UK Volunteer Trainer Role description.

The post Train the Trainer 2022/23 call for interest appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

Volunteer trainers play a key role in the delivery of Wikimedia UK programmes, helping us to achieve our strategic objectives by delivering Wikimedia project training to new and existing editors across the country.  Demand for training often outstrips staff capacity to fulfill, and we’re conscious that our existing networks do not always allow us to reach all the communities with whom we’d like to work.  

In the past, we’ve offered our main Train the Trainer programme as a 3-4 day in-person training course, and it has often focussed on training design and pedagogy. This time however, we’re taking a slightly different approach, which we hope will offer more flexibility to our volunteer trainers, and which we have developed in response to feedback from the community, and from partner organisations.  

The aim of this round of training will be to equip Volunteer Trainers with the skills, experience and resources to deliver a standard ‘Introduction to Wikipedia’, such that would take place at a standard online editathon or wiki workshop  Drawing on the experience of a number of trainers and staff, we have developed a set of training slides and exercises which can be delivered without the requirement for the Volunteer Trainer to do their own course design.  In time, and should they so desire, members of this cohort could be supported to deliver training in-person, and with their own design.  

Expressions of interest are welcomed from all, however given the current demographic mix of our training network, we are particularly interested in hearing from women, members of the LGBT+ community, and non-white people.

Course content and key dates

The course would be organised as follows, all sessions would be held online over Zoom:

• Briefing: Thursday 27th January, 6-7pm. Introduction session.
• Experience: Saturday 29th January, 1-5pm. Trainees would attend an Editathon / Wiki Workshop as participant observers.
• Debrief: Sunday 30th January, 1-5pm. Trainees would discuss and debrief the Saturday session, exploring how and why the training was put together.
• Practice: February. Trainees will run their own online Editathons / Wiki Workshops in pairs or groups of three. These sessions will be organised by Wikimedia UK, probably with partner organisations who will be aware that they are helping new trainers. We are also open to trainees setting up their own practice sessions, if they know a group with whom they’d like to work.

What we would expect from you if you decide to join 

• Full attendance at the training course as outlined above.
• To lead training for a minimum of 2-3 events per year. This would be a mixture of third party events which our Programmes Team would field to you, and those you would organise yourself. Please note that we do receive requests for training to be delivered within office hours.  
• To be responsive to communication from Wikimedia UK staff and Event Organisers, including in advance of the event, and to complete basic reporting, including returning sign up sheets, afterwards.
• Familiarity with, or desire to increase your knowledge of the Wikimedia Projects, particularly Wikipedia. Pre-course support can be provided if you feel that you would benefit from this in order to fully participate in the training.
• To represent Wikimedia UK well during the time in which you are volunteering.
• To adhere to our Safe Spaces policy, and the Code of Conduct. 

What you can expect from us

• Full training and support to become a trainer for editathons and similar events.
• Access to materials for participants.
• Ongoing support from the Programmes Team.
• Job references upon request (paper / email / LinkedIn as required).
• Reasonable volunteer expenses where appropriate.

How to apply

Please fill in the Google Form here. Applications will close on the 9th December, and all successful applicants will be notified by 14th December.

Further background information

Volunteer Trainer is one of two main volunteer roles available at Wikimedia UK, the other being Board Member. In 2020, in light of the demand for online training, we ran an Online Training for Online Trainers course for our existing trainer network, and our last in-person training for new trainers took place in November 2019. 

The Wikimedia UK Volunteer Trainer Role description.

The post Train the Trainer 2022 – call for participants appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

Sara decided to approach this new group of trainers as a specific volunteer cohort. New trainers were asked to agree to run a minimum number of training events per year, booking them either in response to a call from Wikimedia UK, or through their own contacts. This ensured they would have sufficient opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, and that we were tapping into our growing Scottish network. It was also hoped that volunteers would be able to support campaigns like #1lib1ref and Wiki Loves Monuments.

We recruited through the ScotWiki and Wikimedia UK mailing lists, our website, and by approaching existing volunteers whom we thought would appreciate the opportunity for development. We encountered a particular challenge around those we approached in academic circles as the course would take at least three days, potentially cutting into valuable teaching time. And as the content of the course focussed on pedagogy and approach to training rather than advanced Wikipedia editing, there was some scepticism as to whether this would be of the same value to teachers.

With this in mind, we felt that an individual approach would work best for the cohort. Sara carried out phone interviews with prospective trainees, assessing their suitability and the value of their attendance. It was agreed with one individual that this course would not be the right fit for them, but that we could develop their volunteering in other ways. As we’ve done for previous Train the Trainer courses, we also opened the training to international affiliates, inviting a delegate from both Sweden and the Netherlands.

Our cohort varied greatly in terms of their on-wiki experience. In order to level the playing field, Sara set up a mailing list and created weekly reading plans prior to the course, with suggested Wikipedia editing activities. Take up on the pre-course info was mixed, and in the future we’d likely look at presenting this as an online training module rather than a text-heavy set of emails – though these emails were appreciated by all as a resource for future reference. We have since used the materials for education partners with whom we’re working remotely during the COVID-19 period, and our new Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities funded intern who’s working on a project with Wikimedia UK and Archaeology Scotland.

The training quality itself was well received; in particular one participant rated it more highly than aspects of their professional teaching training. We’d also arranged a variety of social activities and it was noted that these were particularly valuable, helping bond the group and break up the intensive three days of training.

Following the training, the mailing list continues to be a key source of peer support and communication. For example, Sara has shared her new standard training slides (redesigned as a result of the training), and members have contributed interesting links and reflections on wiki-related activities. In addition to this, Sara has kept in regular contact with individual trainers.  Each trainer will have the opportunity to shadow or have support in a course before we’d expect them to lead on their own. She’ll then offer feedback, building skills and confidence in order that trainers feel comfortable leading courses on their own. We’re also encouraging new trainers to attend any editing events in their area. Sara has conducted follow up phone interviews with each trainee to assess their interests and any further training needs. In particular, there are two trainers who have shown interest in developing Wikidata skills, and they have been supported and encouraged to work on particular projects. 

At the time of writing, Sara reported that one trainer is working on the development of a light-touch Wiki in the classroom activity – a five week Student Selective Component in Science Communication for medical students at the University of Glasgow, which will include discussion of Wikipedia as a public outreach tool. Another trainer is working with a local history group and has provided leads for the set up of social editing groups in two Scottish cities. One trainer has already supported Sara in an upcoming event in Glasgow, and will build on that experience to develop an activity with an arts network local to her in the Borders; and three trainers have multiple events lined up, including one which is a multi-partner and multi-project event in the North of Scotland.

Our COVID-19 lockdown has obviously changed the state of play for many Wiki activities, with all in-person events cancelled. We’re in the process of looking at models of moving in-person training online, and some of our new trainers are involved in the first wave of this – Code The City 19: History + Data = Innovation will now take place online on 11th and 12th April, led by Ian Watt, which will feature Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata elements. 

The demand for support for wiki-engagement activities continues to grow (and we’ve seen it grow further over the last few weeks). With support from all our volunteer trainers across the country, we’ll do what we can to meet it.

If you’d like to support Wikimedia UK’s work, you can donate to us here.

The post Growing our volunteer community in Scotland appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

Wikimedia UK and the Office for National Statistics have been working together to improve the public’s understanding of statistics through the improvement of and in some cases creation of Wikipedia articles which cover UK statistics. Wikipedia is a free, collaborative, multilingual encyclopedia, editable by everyone, it is the largest encyclopedia ever written, available in 285 languages. It receives around 500 million unique visitors each month totalling 21 billion page views. The goal of the Wikimedia movement is for every single human being to be able freely share in the sum of all knowledge.

The Office for National Statistics Digital Publishing Division have been working with John Cummings, a Wikimedia community volunteer on a range of projects to help make statistics more accessible to a wider audience. John has been training ONS staff to improve and create Wikipedia articles that include UK statistics and educating staff about Wikimedia projects through presentations to ONS staff and statisticians from across government departments.

“Statistics are an essential part of understanding the world and the Office for National Statistics provides much of this vital information about the United Kingdom. We are very happy to work with them to make this information more available. Wikipedia is a resource everyone can contribute to and Office for National Statistics has a unique and valuable contribution to make to open knowledge through it’s statistics and the wonderful infographics that help people understand this information in different way.“

Jon Davies Chief Executive, Wikimedia UK

Andrew Clark, Head of Social Media at ONS and John have been making a number of infographics, produced by the ONS design team, available on Wikipedia through Wikimedia Commons which is made easy by the ONS’s Open Government License. The infographics are used on Wikipedia articles covering a range of subjects including Preterm birth, Lung Cancer, the Economy of the United Kingdom and Languages of the United Kingdom which receive over 400,000 views per month on Wikipedia.

“Working with Wikipedia has already helped us to extend the reach of our data and analysis beyond that of our expert users, through channelling accessible and innovative digital products. We hope that by continuing this relationship and involving our statistical community in the validation of ONS content on Wikipedia pages, we can ensure that statistics become trusted and accessible by all”

Matt Jukes Head of Digital Content, Office for National Statistics

About the Office for National Statistics

The Office for National Statistics is responsible for collecting and publishing statistics related to the economy, population and society at national, regional and local levels. It also conducts the census in England and Wales every ten years.

About Wikimedia UK

Wikimedia UK is the local Wikimedia chapter covering the United Kingdom and supports volunteer editors of, and contributors to, Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia projects such as Wikimedia Commons.

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This post was written by Edward Hands, Wikimedia UK volunteer Wikipedia trainer.

Could “Reanimating Ice-cold Rats” and “Resuscitating Hamsters” inspire Wikipedia editors to revitalise our coverage of pioneering women scientists?

This was one of many questions asked at a recent editathon and Wikipedia training session that I attended. Organised jointly with the Medical Research Council and the Royal Society, the event at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), Mill Hill, London had a full house (and a waiting list), 20 women and 3 men.

The event included a lunchtime talk and panel Q&A led by Professor Dame Athene Donald FRS, highlighting the many subtle and unconscious biases that make it harder for women to get to senior positions in science. Importantly, the Q&A drew attention to what we can all do to address these biases, such as encouraging more women to edit Wikipedia, and increasing our coverage of notable women in science.

The occasion was 25 July, Rosalind Franklin (of DNA fame)’s birthday, with cake cutting at 5pm (DNA spirals around the sides and her famous “photograph 51” on top) and NIMR goodie bags to reward attendees for their contributions.

All taking place against the backdrop of surely the best view from any London library. Expert support and access to a wide range of paper and online resources was provided by NIMR librarians Frank Norman and Patti Biggs, and Phoebe Harkins from the Wellcome Library.

New articles were started on the day for seven NIMR women: Brigid Balfour, Florence Durham, Mary Lobban, Marjorie Mussett, Delphine Parrott, Elizabeth Press and Audrey Smith.

And our first Did You Know (three more DYKs are in the review process) appeared on the Wikipedia home page on 1 August, garnering 1,770 page views:

“Did You Know that cryobiologist Audrey Smith’s scientific papers include “A Simple Method for Reanimating Ice-cold Rats and Mice” and “Resuscitation of Hamsters after Supercooling or Partial Crystallization?”

We could have mentioned how her accidental discovery of the first practical cryoprotectant molecule, glycerol, enabled the freezing of human red blood cells, but bringing small animals back from the dead is the better hook for a wider audience.

NIMR women biographies expanded most on the day included: Hilda Bruce, Rosalind Pitt-Rivers, Brigitte Askonas, Bridget Ogilvie, Rosa Beddington, Rosalind Franklin and Anne McLaren.

We’ve had excellent press coverage in The Guardian, Times Higher Education, Cambridge News, Athene Donald’s blog, as well as MRC and The Royal Society. Twitter activity (hashtag: #WISWIKI) and retweeting on the day itself helped too.

Our new editors will get credit for these DYKs on their talk pages, and can watch their articles grow, hopefully encouraging them to become regular contributors. They all agreed that they would do at least one edit a month, so we will be sure to give them a gentle nudge in early September.

The post Revitalising Wikipedia coverage of women scientists appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

This post was written by Richard Nevell.

On 10 July, four trainers from Wikimedia UK travelled to Oxford to meet a group of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers. The idea of helping the group learn to edit was first floated in February this year by Luc Henry. As with many of the charity’s events, a lot of planning and preparation went on behind the scenes, and Luc put in a lot of effort and helped with follow up. Myself, Toni Sant, Daria Cybulska, and Brian Kelly delivered the training.

Sphingonet is a programme for early career researchers investigating sphingolipids, bringing together people from five different countries. The group’s funding is provided by the European Union’s Marie Curie Actions research fellowship programme. Part of Sphingonet’s work includes outreach activities, and few methods have potentially as much impact as editing Wikipedia. The new Wikimedian in Residence at the National Library of Scotland was also there. It was an opportunity for her to see a training session in progress, see what worked and what didn’t, in preparation for her own activities. Hopefully we left a good impression! Brian had attended a recent editathon about Queen Victoria’s journals, and wanted to get more involved with introducing people to editing.

As this was a group of researchers, the main role of the trainers was to explain the technicalities of editing and helping people get to grips with the user, rather than how to identify a reliable source. There were challenges, such as teaching two streams, one with the visual editor and one using wikicode, but on that sunny day in Oxford with a friendly and eager group it was easy to overcome. Soon enough they were editing with ease, though question about the copyright on diagrams of chemical formulas tested the trainers’ knowledge to the limits!

Chatting with attendees on a one-to-one basis there was real enthusiasm for Wikipedia and its potential. It is second nature for people to turn to the website when quickly looking something up, and they felt it was important that such a high profile website should be high quality. Importantly, feedback suggests that people really wanted to keep editing. And with the researchers being multilingual, there’s always the chance they may edit Wikipedia in other languages. Only time will tell if they stick around, but hopefully that day in Oxford helped more people understand how Wikipedia is made, what goes into it, and what people can do to improve it.

The post Sphingonet and Wikipedia appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

This post was written by User:WormThatTurned

Oldham, April 2013. I had been given my first mission – a mission to train a group of brand new editors in the ways of the Wikipedia. A crack team had been assembled, lead by me – User:Worm That Turned, we also had User:Deskana ready to control the keyboard, User:Julia W and User:Staceydolxx would be monitoring the room and User:HJ Mitchell on hand to keep an eye on things. It was true, most of us were fresh from training ourselves, but we had the knowledge and confidence in our abilities.

We met our contact early and were briefed to expect up to 14 new recruits. The room was set up, plans were made – all we needed to do was wait. It wasn’t long before we had company in the form of four trainees. Unfortunately, they were our only trainees, the training team outnumbered them!

We persevered in any case, following our training plan. Any nerves quickly disappeared and our skills shone through. We astounded the recruits with the scale Wikipedia, engaged them with the pillars it was founded on and inspired them to click that edit button. A straggler appeared, believing himself to be a few minutes late but getting the start time out by an hour, Julia W quickly brought him up to speed. We spent the morning teaching the basics of editing and by lunchtime everyone had made a few edits to their userpage.

After lunch, we discussed what could go wrong on the encyclopedia. This lead beautifully into discussions about reliable sources and our ‘Pièce de résistance‘, a discussion about reliable sources with Yes/No cards. Opinions were divided, could a rambler’s group website be considered reliable on a historic walk? Could an “official” tourism website with pictures of a different area be trusted? The debate had a lasting effect on all involved and those who led the discussion (Deskana and Julia W) should be proud.

We spent the rest of the afternoon editing articles that people were interested in, before summarising the next steps. Feedback was excellent for the most part, with a number asking for more sessions. The crack team has since returned to their day jobs, their alter egos set aside for the time being. One thing I’m sure of though, we’ll be back.

The post Oldham and new trainers appeared first on Wikimedia UK.

That’s how poet Sir John Betjeman once famously described the picturesque town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. Wikimedians recently had the chance to put that claim to the test.

Wikimedia UK received an email a short while ago from Dave Sones of the Stamford Civic Society expressing an interest in learning how to edit Wikipedia. Dave’s idea, along with the Civic Society, was to get together to improve Wikipedia’s coverage of Stamford while creating a digital archive of notable encyclopaedic resources, such as historical documents and images. This drive was given impetus by the recent closure of the local museum and there was a real sense of enthusiasm around the town to share the wonderful resources on their doorstep.

That’s how on Monday 17 December some staff and volunteers from Wikimedia UK arrived at the local college to train a diverse group of local residents, including a sizeable contingent from the Civic Society, on the finer points of what it takes to create and edit content for the largest reference work ever created.

After a light lunch, trainers Katie, Edward and Tom took the group through topics including a background to Wikipedia and its sister projects, how to write and edit content, how to include references, creating user accounts, talk pages and how to add images.

The training was well received and there was a definite determination to put some energy into the freshly-updated project, which you can see here. WMUK will continue working with the Stamford team into the new year. We’re looking forward to seeing the content evolve over the coming months.

And as for Betjeman’s claims? Perhaps you should pay Stamford a visit and judge for yourself!

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