2024/Program/Submissions
Indianapolis — 3-6 October 2024
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WikiConference North America is a series of presentations, panels, workshops and roundtables led by the Wikimedia community and institutions of knowledge and technology. The call for proposals opens May 1st.
We invite submissions that explore how to interlink and collaborate between North American Affiliates (Wikimedia Chapters, Thematic Organizations, and User Groups). We will foster a variety of formats in broadcast, large-group, and small-group sessions over three successive days. While the theme and these focus areas will be particular topics the conference will revolve around, we welcome all submissions which are relevant to the Wikimedia movement - do not feel confined to the conference theme or focus areas if you have something great to share! Proposals may be in various formats and topics related to Wikimedia projects or free culture.
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Theme
Our theme will be "Crossroads", inspired by the Indiana state motto and also alluding to the multiple meanings of the word—as the place where Wikimedians from across the continent cross paths, as well as what we hope will be a turning point for participants.
- Whether it is the discussion of a North American Hub, or the impact of misinformation, AI, and attacks on global democracy and freedom of expression, this meeting takes place at an important inflection point. How do we ensure our projects remain vibrant and relevant in this new future?
Program tracks
To make the program submissions easier to organize and review, we have suggested 12 program tracks. Think about which one best fits your program idea. If your submission applies to more than one track, you may specify a secondary track in the submission form.
- Education – initiatives and programs in education and academia
- GLAM – initiatives and programs in heritage and cultural conservation, collaborations with cultural institutions that include galleries, libraries, archives, museums, and more
- Partnerships – initiatives pairing the Wikimedia movement and its activities with external institutions to produce beneficial results
- Technology – product and technology in the Wikimedia movement
- Community Engagement – the activities aimed at increasing the number of contributors, attracting new editors, making sure they are welcome and willing to stay for the ride
- Community Health – issues related to retaining those editors and contributors that are already active. How to provide them with what they need to keep on contributing.
- Research – research with topics relevant to Wikimedia, as well as research that uses Wikimedia data and content
- Diversity & Inclusion – making sure that Wikimedia projects appeal to as wide audience as possible, and can be edited by as wide group of contributors as possible, to cater for variety and to invite everyone
- Legal & Advocacy – copyrights and digital accessibility, censorship and disinformation / misinformation, public policy and human rights
- Open Data – initiatives in data use and reuse
- Governance & Strategy (alternatively, Governance or Strategy) – discussions focused on structures and reform, key initiatives from the Movement Strategy
- Wild Ideas – anything Wikimedia-related that does not fit well into any of the above or is so wild it needs a category of its own!
- Reliable Sources - techniques and tools for verification
Session types
| Type | Description | Suggested Length |
|---|---|---|
| Lightning talk (LT) | Very short presentation lasting only a few minutes; a data blitz. | 5 minutes |
| Lecture (LEC) | Lecture/presentation on any topic within the themes covered by the conference. | 15–30 minutes |
| Panel (PAN) | Facilitated discussion among three or more on a pre-selected topic. | 30–45 minutes |
| Round Table (RT) | Group-wide discussion on a pre-selected topic. | 30–60 minutes |
| Workshop (WS) | Facilitated group-wide tutorial and/or working session on a pre-selected topic. | 30–75 minutes |
| Edit-a-thon (ED) | Group-wide editing on a particular topic or theme. | 60-120 minutes |
| Plenary (PLEN) | All; only session on the schedule at that time; example, evening strategy session. | 60-120 minutes |
| In-depth session (IND) | Long lecture or panel. | 60 minutes |
| Lunch meetup (LUN) | 60 minutes | |
| After-hours meetup (AFT) | 60-120 minutes |
Proposal Review Process
Proposals will be reviewed by a Programming Committee. Each submission is rated on a variety of factors including the likely level of impact and expected outcomes; expected community interest; and how well-connected the submission is to the theme or a focus area. Committee scores are averaged, and the top portion of submissions will be accepted as they fit into the schedule.
You will be notified about the Program Committee's decision regarding your submission via email. If your submission is not added to the preliminary schedule, please do not be discouraged. WikiConference North America will have time set aside in the schedule for participants and attendees to participate in self-organized talks and working groups during our lightning talks and unconference sessions.
Existing submissions
Note: this list is a dynamic view of Category:Submissions/2024