To say that biology student Christina Le reworked Wikipedia’s article about scientist Diane S. Littler last term would be quite the understatement.
A few months ago, the online encyclopedia offered just two brief paragraphs about the marine botanist and phycologist. Today, the text looks strikingly different, thanks to the 8,548 words and 72 new references Le contributed as part of her Wikipedia assignment.
“When I first began researching Diane S. Littler, I hadn’t realized how foundational her work was to marine biology,” said Le. “As I learned more, I saw that her research shaped much of modern marine science. That made it important to me to gather as much information as possible so her Wikipedia article could reflect her true impact and help others recognize her contributions.”
Le, who learned to edit Wikipedia as part of her coursework during her final semester at Georgia Gwinnett College, emphasized how the experience deepened skills she’ll now carry into her future career — where accuracy and careful documentation are essential, she explained.
“I strengthened my ability to research thoroughly, verify sources, and connect information from multiple references to build a bigger picture,” noted Le. “I also learned how persistence pays off when sources are limited, and how one lead can open the door to many others.”
For scientists like Littler, whose careers may predate widespread media coverage, it can be difficult to find detailed information from verifiable sources, Le explained.
“The hardest part was when my research led to very few sources or dead ends,” said Le. “It took persistence to track down reliable information, and adding photos was especially challenging. Even so, those difficulties made the final product feel more meaningful once everything came together.”
And when Le considered the broader impact her work could have beyond the structure of the article itself, the project became even more rewarding.
“Wikipedia has significant gaps in its coverage of women in STEM in its biographies,” said Le. “As a woman in STEM, expanding Littler’s biography felt especially meaningful. It wasn’t just about listing her accomplishments — it was about giving her the recognition she deserves and helping close the gap in representation. Contributing to her page felt like a small but important step toward making science history more inclusive.”
The student editor hopes readers now have a clearer understanding of the full scope of Littler’s role in advancing marine biology, noting her own amazement at the scientist’s extensive body of published research and involvement in global projects across the field.
And while her Wikipedia assignment may have ended, the editing work isn’t over yet for the recent college graduate — Le is already planning for her next Wikipedia contribution.
Christina Le’s work is part of a larger Wiki Education initiative sponsored by the Henry Luce Foundation, which supports improving Wikipedia’s coverage of women in STEM. Learn more
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.
