Wikipedia

What is Wikipedia?

Wikipedia is a free, collaborative encyclopaedia written and maintained by volunteers in hundreds of languages. It is one of 13 Wikimedia projects hosted by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation, whose mission is to make knowledge freely accessible to everyone.

Wikipedia is widely used by students, researchers and the public, yet it contains significant gaps and systemic biases. The diversity of its editors and content does not fully reflect the diversity of the world, with particular underrepresentation of women, marginalised communities, the Global South and topics outside dominant cultural perspectives.

If there is a typical Wikipedia editor, he has a college degree, is 30-years-old, is computer savvy but not necessarily a programmer, doesn't actually spend much time playing games, and lives in US or Europe

Why edit Wikipedia?

Editing Wikipedia is a practical way to contribute to open knowledge and address these gaps. By creating and improving articles, editors can help make underrepresented people, communities, subjects and research more visible and accessible.

For students, Wikipedia editing can also develop valuable research, writing, referencing, digital and information literacy skills. Contributors learn to evaluate sources critically, communicate complex ideas clearly and consider how knowledge is produced and shared online.

University staff possesses expertise in their subject and access to scholarly resources. They are well equiped to help improve the quality, breadth and accessibility of knowledge available to millions of readers.

Take part in University of Edinburgh WikiProjects

Further resources

• Wikimedia Foundation: Wikimedia projects
• WikiProject Women in Red