Over the last two weeks, the CUNY Office of Library Services team, including our Newmark Wikimedian-in-Residence Richard Knipel, welcomed our 2026 Summer Archives and Open Knowledge Faculty Fellows at orientation. Of these 14 fellows, four have dedicated Wiki projects, and others are interested in incorporating Wiki platforms into their classrooms and archival projects.  

Over the two days of orientation, the faculty fellows shared their project ideas and brainstormed as a group, receiving guidance from Richard and CUNY Archivists Natalie Milbrodt, Bridget Day, and Regina Carra. The projects span a broad range of topics, including music, chemistry, mathematics, data visualization, sociology, education, and more.

To close out orientation, each faculty fellow and staff member presented a “lightning talk,” a five-minute presentation on the topic of their choice. This was a great way for all participants to share resources and expertise with the group and helped identify potential collaboration between fellows and their peers, as well as OLS staff. 

We are thrilled to see these projects kick off for the summer and look forward to meeting again in August to see their progress!