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Out in GeographyÌýand theÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Women in Physics GroupÌýco-hosted an LGBTQ+ Wikithon in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Geography on 5^thÌýJuly to celebrate the secondÌý. Thirty people from Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê and beyond gathered to learn how to create and edit Wikipedia pages.

Wikipedia is the 5th most visited computer site in the world, with 1.5 million biographies in English, but it falls significantly short in representing the diversityÌýof society, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer & questioning community (LGBTQ+).

Dr Ying Lia Li (Physics) and Professor Anson Mackay (Geography) organised a series of talks and a Wikithon aimed specifically at increasing LGBTQ representation.

Three invited speakers launched the Wikithon:

Professor Robert MillsÌý(Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, History of Art):ÌýProfessor of medieval studies, ex-director of qÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê's LGBTQ research network, who also took the lead onÌýThe Queer Tapestry Exhibition, showcasing the histories and voices of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê’s LGBTQ+ community.

(Imperial College, Physics):Ìýresearcher on polymer-based light emitting diodes, BEM (British Empire Medal) recipient for services to gender equality in science. Jess has written over 500 Wikipedia biographies on scientists.

Dr Alice White (Wellcome Collection):ÌýDigital Editor for theÌý, andÌý. She was awarded the Women in Engineering Society's Amy Johnson Inspiration Award 2017.

Alice had provided training at two previous Wikithons hosted by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê Women in Physics, creating biographies for women and Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority scientists. Here she provided an easy-to-follow teaching demo to create and edit Wikipedia pages.

Notable LGBTQ+ researchers were then picked from a pre-selected list of those so far without a Wikipedia entry. It is planned to complete many of these pages to raise the representation of LGBTQ+ researchers on Wikipedia

Following the success of this Wikithon, there will be a follow-up meeting during the next academic year.

For further information, contact eitherÌýAnson MackayÌýorÌýDr Ying Lia LiÌý(Physics)