This page is archived

Links to external sources may no longer work as intended. The content may not represent the latest thinking in this area or the Society’s current position on the topic.

UK Women in Science Wikipedia edit-a-thon

25 - 26 July 2013 10:30 - 05:00

Wikipedia edit-a-thon jointly hosted by the Medical Research Council, the Royal Society and Wikimedia UK

Event details

Building on the highly successful group 'Edit-a-thon' that the Royal Society and Wikimedia UK ran as part of Ada Lovelace Day to improve Wikipedia articles about women in science in October 2012, as part of its Centenary, the Medical Research Council has joined forces with the Royal Society and Wikimedia to present a series of edit-a-thons through 2013.

The editathon is open to both people who are new to Wikipedia and experienced Wikipedia editors. Female editors are particularly encouraged to attend.

At the workshops representatives from Wikimedia UK will explain how Wikipedia works and be on hand to answer questions about editing and improving Wikipedia articles.

Drawing on resources from the MRC, The Royal Society, Wellcome Trust and National Library of Scotland, the events will have access to a rich collection of printed and electronic works about women in science, including biographies and works authored by scientists. At each event the location's librarians will explain more about the collections and provide guidance on finding sources.

Before the events the MRC, Royal Society and Wikimedia will select Wikipedia articles relating to women in science which need improving, but attendees are welcome to suggest in advance articles or names of women in science they feel need Wikipedia pages to be created for or enhanced. Attendees will be encouraged to work together to edit those articles, using the location's resources There will also be a Wikipedia co-ordination page for all editing events.

Please bring your own laptop if you have one. Alternatively, a limited number of laptops are available. Please contact us if you would like to reserve one. Power points, WiFi and drinks refreshments will be available.

If you'd like to take part remotely then please join us on Twitter with the hashtag #wiswiki

Panel discussion

As part of each Edit-a-thon there will be a panel discussion led by eminent female scientists on women's experiences in science, and diversity in the scientific workforce more generally, together with how underrepresentation can be tackled in the future.

Attending this event

The event is free to attend and open to all. Please register for a ticket before attending. Up to 14 places are available and 50 or so places for the panel discussion.

Programme

10.30am - Introductions

10.35am – Guidance on how to edit Wikipedia

12.00pm - Lunch

12:30pm – Welcome by Professor Jim Smith and Panel discussion, led by Professor Dame Athene Donald

2:00pm - 5:00pm - Edit-a-thon

Enquries: contact Daria Cybulska,

daria.cybulska@wikimedia.org.uk

0207 065 0994 with any questions.

For further information about the programme, please contact:

equalityanddiversity@mrc.ac.uk