Empowering women in STEMM: Franklin Women editathons in Sydney and Canberra
Last week, the Franklin Women community came together in Sydney and Canberra with Wikimedia Australia staff and volunteers, for two inspiring editathons that aimed to amplify the voices and achievements of women in health and medical science. These events were a remarkable testament to the power of collective effort in bridging the gender gap on Wikipedia and bringing people together to make an impact.
Sydney: A Celebration of Collaboration
On a bright and sunny morning in Sydney, scientists, researchers, and volunteers gathered at The Women’s College, University of Sydney for the first editathon. We received a warm welcome from Melina Georgousakis (CEO Franklin Women), a key note from Dr Julia Warning (A/Director Advanced Therapeutics, NSW Office for Health and Medical Research), and then over to Caddie Brain, Wikimedian and facilitator for the editathons. The room buzzed with energy as participants eagerly learned the ins and outs of editing Wikipedia. With laptops open and coffee cups in hand, they dove into the task of creating and enhancing articles about notable Australian women in health and medical science.
Wikimedia Australia staff Belinda and Alice, as well as volunteers Annie and Margaret, were on hand to help participants through the editing process. The collaboration was not just about learning new skills; it was also a celebration of the achievements of women who have made significant contributions to science. By the end of the day, many new articles had been created, and existing ones were enriched with detailed information and references. A small celebration was enjoyed by everyone as a thank you for their contributions to Wikipedia and gender equity.
Canberra: Building a Stronger Community
The following day the editathon in Canberra, held at the Shine Dome, Australian Academy of Science, continued the momentum. Melina welcomed everyone and the importance of the day was also highlighted with a short video speech from the Hon Ged Kearney MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, thanking everyone for their contributions. Then, participants, including students, academics, researchers and professionals, learnt how to edit and make positive changes in the world's largest online encyclopaedia. Ali and Belinda were generously supported by volunteers Linda and Ross, whenever a new editor needed assistance. The spirit of community was evident as experienced editors shared their knowledge with newcomers, and everyone participated in an environment of support and encouragement.
Like Sydney, the Canberra editathon focussed on our collaborative efforts to improve the visibility of Australian women in STEMM. Attendees worked on articles about pioneering and notable women health researchers and scientists, ensuring their contributions were accurately represented and celebrated. The event also provided a platform for networking and discussion, allowing participants to connect over their shared passion for gender equity in health and medical science.
Feedback from one of the new editors was very positive stating "A big thank you for running the Wikipedia edit-a-thon yesterday in Sydney. It is clear a lot of effort was put into the organisation and it was very inspiring to see the impact of your efforts. I was thrilled to have my first contribution live by the end of the day. I intend to make many more contributions over time."
A Lasting Impact
The Franklin Women editathons in Sydney and Canberra were more than just events; they were steps toward a more inclusive and representative online world. With 50 editors coming together to learn new skills, the impact of their contributions will continue to grow over time. The significance of these editathons was underscored by media coverage from an ABC podcast, a Women's Agenda article, and the Canberra Times article and video. By enhancing the visibility of women in science on Wikipedia, these efforts have ensured that the achievements of notable women are recognised and accessible to all. As Melina reminded us at each event, we had all played a part in making the internet a better place.
We look forward to many more such events, where learning together, community collaboration and making an impact continue to shine bright. Thank you so much to everyone who participated and made these editathons a resounding success. Together, we make a difference!
See the impact of the editathons on the Franklin Women Editathons Dashboard 2024