🌉Bridging the Digital Divide with WikiConnect🌉
We are excited to announce the launch of the Digital Inclusion WikiConnect project, an initiative that aims to tackle digital poverty by promoting inclusive practices through Wikipedia. This pilot project will foster collaboration between staff and students to create and edit Wikipedia articles focused on digital poverty and areas of personal expertise, all while helping to bridge the knowledge gap for marginalised communities.
What is WikiConnect?
WikiConnect is more than just an editing programme. It’s about building digital literacy and raising awareness about the global digital divide, a gap that affects millions. The project brings together staff and students from the University, all working towards the common goal of improving digital inclusion through open knowledge. Supported by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Fund, the School of Computer Science, the CS EDI Committee, and SACHI, WikiConnect is led by the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Open Knowledge Network (IDEA Network).
Participants will gain access to online resources and training to contribute meaningfully to Wikipedia, plugging gaps in digital knowledge while promoting best practices in digital inclusion. No prior Wikipedia editing experience is needed, as full support will be provided every step of the way.
Event Highlights: The Launch of WikiConnect
The project kicks off on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, with an onsite WikiConnect Launch Event at St Andrews featuring two distinguished speakers.
Freddie Quek will deliver a talk on “#JoiningTheDots: Closing the Digital Divide”. His insights will provide a roadmap for participants to contribute to the fight against digital poverty through WikiConnect.
- Freddie is Chair of BCS Digital Divide Specialist Group Chair. He is a highly experienced and multiple award-winning global technology leader who has worked in Singapore, US and UK across many industry sectors. He started the #joiningthedots initiative joining up 15 UK tech leaders communities to address #digitalinclusion, became special advisor and Community Board member of the Digital Poverty Alliance and establishedthe BCS Digital Divide Specialist Group. He serves on the boards at University of Bristol, BCS and eLife, and a member of the Technology Advisory Group at the Royal Society of Chemistry. Freddie is a Fellow of BCS and judge for the UK IT Industry and Women in IT awards. He is currently pursuing his doctoral study into technology leaders at Henley Business School.
Sara Thomas, Programme Manager at Wikimedia UK, will discuss the role of Wikipedia in enhancing digital skills. Her talk will inspire participants to see how contributing to Wikipedia can be a meaningful way to bridge the digital divide.
- Dr Sara Thomas is a Programme Manager at Wikimedia UK, formerly Scotland Programme Coordinator, and Wikimedian in Residence at Museums Galleries Scotland, and the Scottish Library and Information Council. She works with institutions such as galleries, libraries, archives, museums and universities as well as community groups and individual volunteers to advocate for open knowledge, and improve the quality and quantity of material on the Wikimedia Projects.
A Collaborative Journey
The Digital Inclusion WikiConnect project runs until Wednesday, 27 November 2024, when we will come together again for a celebration of participants’ achievements. In between, there will be online editing sessions, with our EDI Engagement Facilitators offering support at times that suit the group. Participants will also have access to asynchronous resources to help guide them through the editing process.
Join Us
If you’re passionate about digital inclusion and eager to contribute to Wikipedia while building valuable digital skills, there’s still an opportunity to get involved. While the application for participants joining on 11th September has now closed, we encourage you to sign up for the next round. We’ve reached our quota for students, but we’re still looking for University staff members to join the project. And if you’re an enthusiastic student, don’t worry—if not this time, you might secure a spot in future sessions!
https://standrews.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2lazpuVB1Y0mwKO
We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of WikiConnect participants and working together to close the digital divide.