Notes from the field: Three Wikimedian-in-Residence case studies

Abstract

When the University of Alberta Library hired its first Wikimedian-in-Residence (WIR) in 2019, the team had difficulty finding detailed information about how to plan for a WIR and set up the role for success. This chapter details two Wikipedia residencies that served as a guide for the Alberta team in building their WIR project. Case studies of the University of Toronto and Concordia University in Montréal are presented alongside a case study of the University of Alberta. Each study includes details about how the role was approved and funded, how hiring decisions were made, how the WIR focused their efforts, and the impact at their institution. Together, these three examples demonstrate the variety of options for funding and hiring a WIR role and for the focus of the WIR’s work in their term. The chapter poses concrete questions for librarians considering implementing a WIR role at their institution and offers recommendations from each WIR experience as guidance in answering those questions.

Space Habitats Should Be 1 g Shielded Space Platforms, Not on Low Gravity, Radiation Exposed Moon or Mars

“…(Marotta and Globus 2018) (Globus et al 2017) The planners modify the two fundamental decisions about rotation rate and shielding mass that were made in "The High Frontier" space habitat concept. (O'Neil 1977) The 1977 design assumed that a low rotation rate of 2 rpm was required to prevent motion sickness. Since then, a rotation rate of 4 rpm has usually been considered acceptable, and current studies may allow higher rotation rates.…”