Women, Science and Scottish History editathon series
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About the event
Have you ever wondered why the information in Wikipedia is extensive for some topics and scarce for others? During the University of Edinburgh's 2015 Innovative Learning Week, the University's Information Services team will run a series of four Wikipedia 'editathons' for staff and students with the support of the School of Literature, Languages and Cultures, the Moray House School of Education, EDINA, and the National Library of Scotland. Each editathon will focus on improving the quality of articles about women in Scottish history, such as 'the Edinburgh Seven', the first women to study medicine at UoE and who caused a riot by doing so.
Working together with archivists, academic colleagues and Wikimedia experts, we will provide training on how to edit and add information and participate in an open knowledge community. We will explore how writing Wikipedia articles develops digital literacy and academic writing skills. Participants will be supported to develop articles covering women in science, Scottish women in history, Edinburgh as the birth place of medicine, The Edinburgh Seven, University history, distinguished Edinburgh alumni etc.
This series of events will run over a series of afternoons with focused topics. Participants can attend just once or on multiple days, and can select topics that engage them and which need development on Wikipedia. Training, technical support and subject area advice will be provided throughout. Each workshop is open to participants across the University, and both staff and students are encouraged to attend!
Workshop schedule
This series of events will run over a series of afternoons with focused topics; the schedule of topics will be confirmed in advance and posted here, along with information regarding the specialised materials and experts who will be on hand each day to support participants.
- Monday 16 February - Editathon, topic TBC
- Tuesday 17 February - Editathon, topic TBC
- Wednesday 18 February - Editathon, topic TBC
- Thursday 19 February - Editathon, topic TBC
- Friday 20 February - Innovative Learning Week exhibition and wrap-up event (featuring cake!), details TBC
Programme
Each editathon session will include a brief introduction to editing Wikipedia during the first hour. After this training has finished, participants will be free to practice their new editing skills while editing their chosen articles using the materials provided or available online materials. A Wikipedia trainer will remain on hand to provide support for the editing process, and experts on each topic will be there to help guide research.
Participants who have already gone through training are very welcome to attend the training session during any additional editathons they may be attending, to use the time to work on their articles individually or to improve their editing skills and confidence!
Registration
Please sign up for the session or sessions that you would like to attend on the relevant registration page below (please note that Friday 20 February will feature a separate concluding event TBC):
- Monday 16 February, 2-5pm
- Tuesday 17 February, 2-5pm
- Wednesday 18 February, 2-5pm
- Thursday 19 February, 2-5pm
How do I prepare?
Once you have registered to attend an editathon or a couple of editathons, there are a few things you can do to prepare before you attend:
- Create a Wikipedia account
- Learn about editing if you like: visit the Wikipedia Tutorial, or Getting started on Wikipedia for more information
- Think about what article you would like to edit - you can even prepare some materials to bring with you on the day
- You do not need to bring a laptop unless you prefer to use your personal computer. Desktop computers with internet access will be provided (for which an active University of Edinburgh user account is required).
- Note, refreshments will be provided - please notify organisers of any special dietary requirements if you have not already
Articles to edit
Lists of suggested or requested articles to create or improve will be added here for each topic as the schedule (see above) is developed. Please feel free to make your own suggestions on the talk page here. You may wish to suggest individuals, events, or general topics related to women in science, Scottish women in history, Edinburgh as the birth place of medicine, The Edinburgh Seven, University history, distinguished Edinburgh alumni, women in Scottish politics, or any other relevant topic as they are confirmed.
Material
Information about the research material available for use will be provided here as topics are confirmed. Participants are encouraged to make full use of the University of Edinburgh's extensive online resources, such as databases and e-journals, as well as any of their own research material that they may have access to.
Additional resources are available through the National Library of Scotland's digital galleries and licensed digital collections. Any NLS reader has free access to the licensed digital collections with an online account, and if you are not a reader, you can become one quickly and easily by registering as a new user or a new online user using any residential address in Scotland.
Attendees
Once you have signed up and created your Wikipedia account, why not add your username below? Don't worry about formatting if you aren't sure, we can help you on the day!
- Ally Crockford (User:ACrockford)
Trainers
Below is the list of trainers that will be present at each workshop.