Help Diversify STEM History!
Are you tired of seeing the same names in science over and over? Do you wish for increased representation in STEM? Be the change you want to see on the internet! Join us at our kick-off meetings and editing events to highlight diverse science on Wikipedia!
For more information on the event and to register, scan the QR code to the right or go to go.igb.illinois.edu/Wikipedia. For questions, contact Ananya Sen at asen4@illinois.edu.
Register for all events here: go.igb.illinois.edu/Wikipedia
Events will be in IGB Conference Center Room 612
Editing Event and Closing Celebration!
During these events you can improve Wikipedia’s STEM representation! Our librarians have created a list of pages that require your help to make them better and increase their visibility. Lunch will be provided. Bring your laptops!
Suggested names to edit or create wiki pages: IGB Edit-a-thon 2023 Spreadsheet
PAST EVENTS:
Kick-off Events
Editing Events
During these events you can improve Wikipedia’s STEM representation! Our librarians have created a list of pages that require your help to make them better and increase their visibility. Lunch will be provided. Bring your laptops!
Suggested names to edit or create wiki pages: IGB Edit-a-thon 2023 Spreadsheet
Jamie Flood, Friday October 13 and Monday November 13 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Jamie is a master’s student in the Library and Information Science program, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Jamie Flood currently works as the Senior Wikipedia and Outreach Coordinator with USDA National Agricultural Library in the Agricultural Law Information Partnership. Jamie is the 2022-2024 Paul Evan Peters Master's Fellowship recipient and is passionate about open access research and information and improving discoverability of digital objects, particularly for Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) institutions.
Research
Her current research and digital projects focus on Farm Worker rights and conditions, Heirs’ Property, food justice and equity, utilizing timelines and other online digital exhibits to re-examine historical narratives, and utilizing Wikipedia as a means for knowledge equity and information discoverability. She extensively edits Wikipedia around agricultural and legal topics, women and Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) historical figures, and historical landmarks and local history.
Mackenzie Lemieux,Thursday September 21, 12:00- 1:00 p.m.
Mackenzie is a 4th year medical student at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.
Mackenzie Lemieux is an avid Wikipedia user and has been creating Wikipedia pages since 2019. During the pandemic, Mackenzie wrote over 100 Wikipedia biographies of women in STEM in an attempt to increase the representation of women on Wikipedia and improve their visibility online. Mackenzie has taught Wikipedia editing across the country at local, national, and international events.
Research and career
Beyond editing and teaching others, Mackenzie conducts research exploring gender and racial biases on Wikipedia. Her recent paper highlights the biased use of specific tags on Wikipedia that lead to deletion of Women's biographies. Her current research explores gender bias surrounding images on Wikipedia biographies and how images impact search algorithms and search engines. Her future career aspirations are in obstetrics and gynecology where she plans to continue to advocate for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM and medicine.
The Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon is an initiative of the IGB DEI Task Force and supported by the Biology Librarian and Funk ACES Library. Since 2020, the DEI Task Force has accelerated initiatives meant to increase
dialogue and create change internally in working towards a more inclusive environment. Information on other DEI events, resources, and current partnerships can be found on igb.illinois.edu/DEI.
