Wikipedia as a platform for Science Policy
Daniel Puentes is a Graduate Research Assistant at Michigan State University and recently completed our Wikipedia training course sponsored by the National Science Policy Network. Wikipedia is one of the most popular online resources for anyone to get information that they’re interested in learning. During election years, voters will use Wikipedia to read about different … Continued
Improving information about disability healthcare on Wikipedia
When Wikipedia is a first stop for individuals interested in developmental disability-related healthcare, isn’t it important that the information they find there be complete and accurate? Wikipedia is one of the places many individuals who lack knowledge about developmental disability issues turn to. Some healthcare practitioners consult the site and/or use it as a resource. … Continued
Early career scientists interested in science policy can make a difference
Wikipedia is where people turn when they want to learn about science. Whether looking for information about health care, climate change, a medical condition, nuclear energy, space exploration, drug side effects, or human biology, it’s often the first stop we look. It’s also where citizens find information they need to make informed political decisions, and … Continued
One big way to amplify your knowledge and make a change in the world
When scientists share their rigorous research beyond their niche communities, they help restore the public’s trust in science. Wikipedia reaches people who are looking for reliable information, and Wiki Education is working to make sure academics, researchers, and scientists have the opportunity to reach those readers. This year, we did this by partnering with the … Continued
Improving medical Wikipedia pages as an expert and a consumer
“It feels really powerful to have a forum to reach this many people and to provide them with potentially helpful information. I certainly don’t reach this many people during direct patient care or through publications in medical journals.” Everyone uses Wikipedia. Even our doctors. So doesn’t it make sense to invite medical professionals into … Continued
Meeting your patients where they are: on Wikipedia
“Our patients are using Wikipedia for their health questions, so the more health professionals we have editing, the better and safer information they get.”* What would the world look like if everyone had unfettered access to knowledge? Free knowledge resources like Wikipedia provide an opportunity to put power into the hands of everyone. The Society … Continued
Channeling passion into action: NSPN Wiki Scientists
“The public looks to Wikipedia to make informed political decisions. If I can make that information more accurate and complete, that’s a good use of my time.” When the National Science Policy Network (NSPN) announced that they would be sponsoring a course with us for early career scientists to add science policy information to Wikipedia (in … Continued
Ugandans writing their own story of family planning
Wikipedia aspires to collect and distribute the sum of human knowledge, but systemic barriers prevent the realization of this goal. Barriers to editing Wikipedia are highest in the Global South, where internet access can be sporadic or nonexistent, and people have less leisure time to contribute as unpaid labor. The entire continent of Africa (1.2 … Continued
Students and professionals make Wikipedia more inclusive of women in STEM
What does it mean to have scientists of diverse identities represented in the largest, most-accessed encyclopedia worldwide? It means… scientists besides white men are historically recognized for their role in the advancement of STEM fields. correcting the stereotype of “what a scientist looks like” (did you think man with a lab coat when I said … Continued
If you’re a biologist in search of science communication tools…
So you’ve spent the last three years of your life studying a type of gene, cell, or species, (maybe a bat), and you’re wondering… “How can I share what I know with more people?” The answer: contribute to Wikipedia’s coverage of your specialty and help thousands of people around the world better understand biology and … Continued