WikiConference North America 2026: Gathering in Edmonton

 

WikiConference North America 2026: Gathering in Edmonton

​Category: Digital Knowledge & Community Outreach

​As planning ramps up for the annual regional gathering of open-knowledge advocates, librarians, educators, and Wikimedians, WikiConference North America (WCNA) 2026 presents a distinct shift in format, focus, and local engagement.

​Scheduled for September 24–27, 2026, this year’s conference brings the North American Wikimedia community together in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Hosted on the campus of the University of Alberta, the event brings together practitioners dedicated to free expression, digital literacy, open data, and cultural heritage preservation.

​Conference At A Glance

  • ​Dates: September 24–27, 2026
  • ​Location: Lister Centre, University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada)
  • ​Format: In-person gathering (No live virtual track)
  • ​Main Theme: Building the Future of the Commons

​An In-Person Gathering: What Attendees Need to Know

​One of the primary structural updates for WCNA 2026 is its event delivery model. Unlike previous hybrid iterations that maintained simultaneous virtual tracks and live-streamed interactive breakout rooms, the 2026 organizers have structured WCNA 2026 strictly as an in-person conference.

​Approximately 250 participants are expected to assemble at the University of Alberta's Lister Centre. While remote live participation will not be integrated into the program, asynchronous documentation remains a priority. Presenters and organizers will upload session slides, documentation, project outlines, and select recorded materials to Meta-Wiki and Wikimedia Commons following the event to ensure long-term public access for the broader global movement.

​Theme and Program Tracks

​The central theme for 2026, "Building the Future of the Commons," addresses the evolving intersection of open documentation, digital infrastructure, and community stewardship. Program tracks are structured around key operational focus areas:

  • ​Artificial Intelligence & Open Data: Navigating the role of generative systems, ethical data sourcing, and algorithmic accountability within collaborative knowledge ecosystems.
  • ​Underrepresented Communities: Developing intentional frameworks to expand coverage of marginalized narratives, oral histories, and rural community histories.
  • ​GLAMU Partnerships: Enhancing structural ties between Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Universities to liberate physical archival collections into open digital spaces.
  • ​User Skills & Literacy: Practical workshops focused on source evaluation, editing tools, digital preservation, and grassroots educational outreach.

​Schedule Overview

Program Outline

Thursday, Sept 24
Opening reception, registration, and the annual "Culture Crawl"—curated field visits to local Edmonton cultural institutions and archives.


Friday, Sept 25
Keynotes, core panel discussions on AI and open knowledge, and technical workshops at the Lister Centre.

Saturday, Sept 26
GLAMU partnership tracks, community meetups, lightning talks, and strategic planning roundtables.

Sunday, Sept 27
Hackathon project showcases, group synthesis sessions, and closing remarks.


​"While the digital commons spans the globe, the face-to-face exchange of methodologies, archival techniques, and community strategies remains a cornerstone of sustainable open-knowledge work."


​Looking Ahead
​As open-access initiatives continue to navigate complex technological and legal landscapes, gatherings like WCNA provide an essential venue for collaborative reflection. Whether working in academic libraries, digital archives, or independent community projects, participants in Edmonton will focus on practical solutions to keep shared information accessible, transparent, and resilient.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers go to the St Louis Jazz Festival

Image
WikiExplorers go to Senegal, a children’s story for ages 10–12, to learn about their shared history in music.  From Harlem to Dakar to St. Louis: The WikiExplorers Travel to Senegal   Ten WikiExplorers sat in a circle on the classroom floor in Harlem, laptops open, backpacks half-zipped, and ready to fly across the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar, Senegal.  “Dakar is right here,” said Amina, pointing at the map on her screen. “And St. Louis is way up north,” Malik added. “It used to be the capital of Senegal!” They were traveling to Senegal to attend a jazz festival in St. Louis, a city known for its music, rivers, and beautiful old buildings. Their assignment was special: learn about the shared history of African and African American music, find knowledge gaps on Wikipedia, and help fill them—with words, photos, and interviews. None of the children had ever been to Africa before. But Africa didn’t feel far away. Research Before the Journey Before the trip, the WikiExplorers met ...
Read more

Edgar Cayce’s prophecy and African Americans

  Edgar Cayce, sometimes called the “Sleeping Prophet,” gave thousands of psychic readings in the early 20th century. Much of his work focused on health, spirituality, and esoteric subjects like Atlantis, but in his life readings he also spoke about the destiny and role of various groups of people in history—including African Americans. Cayce’s prophecy and his views as they relate to African American history: 1. Spiritual Destiny of African Americans Cayce suggested that African Americans carried a deep spiritual mission. He often spoke of “souls” incarnating in different races and regions to fulfill certain purposes. About Black people in America, he indicated that they held a role in bringing balance, humility, and spiritual renewal to a world overly focused on materialism. He stated that African Americans would play a key role in the spiritual awakening of America . He connected their history of suffering and resilience with a kind of spiritual refinement—what he descri...
Read more

The WikiExplorers and the Brilliant Mind of David Blackwell

Image
An educational children’s story designed for ages 9–12 about a group of curious kids called the WikiExplorers , who take on a Wikipedia research assignment and discover the story of David Blackwell and his surprising connection to AI and NVIDIA . The WikiExplorers and the Brilliant Mind of David Blackwell Written for Young Readers | Ages 9–12 Once a week, in a quiet corner of the school library, a special group of kids gathered. They called themselves the WikiExplorers—because their mission was to explore, discover, and share knowledge with the world by editing real Wikipedia articles. The club had five members: Zora, the thoughtful writer Miles, the math genius Kai, the tech whiz Luna, the fact-checker Tariq, the big-picture thinker One Friday afternoon, their club advisor, Ms. Ocampo, arrived with a special assignment. “Today, WikiExplorers,” she said, placing a stack of printouts on the table, “you’re going to add new information to a Wikipedia article—about NVIDIA, the computer c...
Read more