Content Partnerships Hub/Needs assessment/Research results/Wikimedia Australia

Notes from meeting with Wikimedia Australia

Date: 2021-09-23

Participants: Alex Lum, Caddie Brain, Pru Mitchell

Do you work with content partnerships today?

Some partnerships in place, some work with libraries to do training and run edit-a-thons. Long relationships with GLAM partners. Partnerships are varied and customised depending on need and request. Most are around public engagement through edit-a-thons as opposed to collection based projects.

https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Partnerships
https://wikimedia.org.au/wiki/Past_Partnerships

What is your normal work process in collaborations with partners?

An organic approach. Generally an institution will approach us to get support for an event and then we will begin to work together from there. Lack of staff and capacity was a problem in converting opportunities, growing partnerships or maximising relationships into more long term partnerships.

What are your desired content partnerships in the future?

First Nations / Indigneous Australian cultural heritage such as place names, history and language is an area of focus for Wikimedia Australia where it is aiming to build partnerships to document diverse cultural protocols and history, how they differ across the country, and how they can mesh with Wikimedia policies and rules. Would like to formalise more partnership programs though MOUs and other contracts. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for up-to-date population, geography, demographics, economics and other data

Are you having a work plan for new partners and collaborations?

Wikidata and GLAM Report https://wikimedia.org.au/w/images/7/7d/WikidataGLAMReport.pdf

Generally starts with a fairly informal discussion, so WMAU can work out their needs, and for us to outline content or projects that could be of use to them or would benefit from their donation or offer of content or other resourcing. After that, as stated above, the process is fairly organic and can vary depending on the institution and the relationship with WMAU.

What are your needs for a successful work with partners?

Metrics and statistics: WMAU meeting its proposed metrics for grant funding and strategic goals, and the partner being able to report likewise against their goals and strategies. Standardised workflow and documentation to support partnerships: as most of WMAU offerings are volunteer based, it is desirable to establish expectations so both partners can determine whether the arrangement is feasible and mutually beneficial, or if financial support is needed from either party.

What does the best support look like for a successful partnership?

Work with data for example places. “Round-tripping” - for example, an institution provides content or data, and can use the Wikimedia infrastructure to enable their project, analysis or content presentation. Continuity of staffing/knowledge for the facilitators/organisers at the partner is desirable, and can be difficult to maintain as universities and GLAMs are very stretched with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Other questions or suggestions for other people who would be interested in discussing these issues?

Perhaps the Wikimedia User Group of Aotearoa New Zealand? We work closely with them and they are very active and engaged with New Zealand GLAMs.

Resources

Wikidata and GLAM Report https://wikimedia.org.au/w/images/7/7d/WikidataGLAMReport.pdf This was a report commissioned by Wikimedia Australia in 2019-20 and conducted by an Australian GLAM consultant.