[okfn-discuss] Research project: "Histories of open knowledge"

[Antti Halonen]

Dear all,

I have been planning to start a research project on the history of open
data and open knowledge movements (i've only recently finished a report on
the contemporary open data policies -
http://finnish-institute.org.uk/images/stories/pdf2012/being%20open%20about%20data.pdf
).
Sam Leon from OKF encouraged me to post a rough draft proposal to this list
for feedback and possible ideas. In a nutshell the idea is to write a
communal history of open knowledge movement, that is a narrative of how
community members themselves perceive the conceptual development of open
knowledge and its significance for the society.
I think the most urgent issues are the overall feasibility of the project
and also identifying potential funding sources.
Please find the draft attached below. I'd be very glad for all the comments
and ideas and am happy to tell more.

Best wishes,
Antti

*Project proposal*



*Title*:

Histories of open knowledge



*Project coordinator: *

Antti Halonen



*Contact email: *

antti.halonen.10 at ucl.ac.uk



*Project description: *



Purpose of the project is to write a history of the open knowledge
movement, as perceived by the open knowledge community itself. Now that
open knowledge movement has increasingly started to gain leverage and the
principles of transparency are being introduced in both governmental and
civil-society levels, it is time to compile a narrative of how open
knowledge has emerged as a global movement.



According to one widely accepted view of historiography history is
necessarily a combination of many different histories and several
recollections of the past (for instance, Kalela 2012). Therefore this
project aims at presenting a history of open knowledge like the members of
the global open knowledge community perceive it. Community members are
encouraged to take part in research circles and provide their recollections
on the past. A young historian (project coordinator) will facilitate the
project and conduct the final editing process. The outcome of the project
will be a communal narrative of the conceptual development of open
knowledge.



Methodology of the project will be based on the idea of history as a joint
communal project. The sole authority of a historian is questioned and
instead, the community itself will be given a voice on about what is
relevant and how the subject should be reviewed. Effectively, participants
will be asked to “write their own histories” What kind of issues have
influenced their own thoughts and opinions? Why have they decided to take
part in the open knowledge movement? What events have influenced their own
thought and ideas about the society and the open knowledge movement?



*Timeline*:



Phase 1:



Project coordinator conducts a literature review on the emergence of open
knowledge as a concept and drafts a methodology on how to study the history
of open knowledge in an open manner.  (May – June 2012)



Phase 2:



Open knowledge community members are asked to provide their own
recollections on how they got involved in the movement and what are their
perceptions of the open knowledge concept. (June – September 2012)



Phase 3:



During Open Knowledge Festival the project coordinator will lead a history
workshop where the community recollections and perceptions are discussed
and compiled into a draft version of the history. Before the workshop a
renowned professor of history (for instance Jorma Kalela) will give a
keynote speech on history as a joint communal project. (September 2012)



Phase 4:



Project coordinator edits the draft and conducts the final narrative. Final
work is approved by the community and published under open access
regulations. (September – October 2012)



*What is needed:*



Financial support to enable six months’ part-time work (50%, May-October
2012) of the project coordinator (€8.000)

Space for the history workshop at OKFest (two days)

Publisher for the final report

-- 
Antti Halonen
Fellow
The Finnish Institute in London
35-36 Eagle Street
WC1R 4AQ
London

@ajhalo
+447748950741
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