With more than 500 patents in the field of software programming, Lisa Secat DeLuca is considered IBM’s most prolific female inventor. So it came as a surprise to USC students Zarif Rezwan and Jasmin Ashley that the engineer was absent from Wikipedia – a feeling that propelled the pair to add her story to the encyclopedia themselves.
“I did not know there was such a significant gap in coverage of minority groups, so increasing representation and visibility on Wikipedia is important!” explained Ashley, a senior studying chemical engineering. “Being able to highlight the many accomplishments of Lisa Secat DeLuca is meaningful in that it can challenge stereotypes in STEM and give a more inclusive viewpoint to those who see our article. The potential to broaden the public’s perception of who can excel in STEM is exciting.”
Working together to tackle their Wikipedia assignment, Ashley and Rezwan divided the research and writing into sections including DeLuca’s early life, professional life, and ventures outside her primary work focus. The duo then wove together their individual contributions to create their collaborative text for the article, hoping readers feel as inspired by DeLuca’s trajectory as they were throughout their research.
“Highlighting a woman in STEM was part of the appeal of covering DeLuca,” noted sophomore Rezwan. “As a computer science major, I hear little about the diverse figures contributing to the field. It was fulfilling to be part of the movement to bring these excellent minds to light so that more people know that STEM is for everyone.”
As one of the first reference points for people seeking information and a source of data for AI tools, Wikipedia has the power to increase public awareness of notable figures like DeLuca, explained Ashley.
“Her presence on Wikipedia makes her achievements accessible to a global audience,” said Ashley. “While writing, I really thought about the tone of the article. It was important to write in a way that was professional, unbiased, and easy to understand for any possible viewers.”
Creating DeLuca’s Wikipedia article required an open mind and thorough research, noted Ashley – skills that will translate well to her career goals as a chemical engineer.
Echoing Ashley’s reflection, Rezwan also outlined connections between the assignment and his own career goals in software development.
“Writing a Wikipedia article was an excellent exercise in research and writing for a public audience,” said Rezwan. “I want to work in software development after graduating, and being able to research a topic is an essential skill in this field. Furthermore, communicating well is vital, and Wikipedia has built my confidence as our edits are still live!”
Both student editors expressed their surprise at how easy it was to make edits and add sources to the online encyclopedia, referencing helpful built-in tools like the automatic citation generator, as well as the comprehensive training modules and guidance from Wiki Education.
Rezwan, who has since made other contributions to Wikipedia, underscored his appreciation for the unique perspectives brought by editors of diverse backgrounds. Ashley also emphasized the impact that can be made through even minor edits from a variety of editors.
“It’s beneficial to work on an article even if the edits are small, because then the articles can represent a broader collection of facts and insight from all editors,” she explained.
Ashley’s and Rezwan’s work on Wikipedia is part of a larger Wiki Education initiative sponsored by the Broadcom Foundation, which supports the creation of new biographies of diverse people in STEM on Wikipedia.
Interested in incorporating a Wikipedia assignment into your course? Visit teach.wikiedu.org to learn more about the free resources, digital tools, and staff support that Wiki Education offers to postsecondary instructors in the United States and Canada.
