20 February, 5–10pm, St Edmund Hall (tbc)
with Louise Tjoline Keitsch
This workshop invites everyone – students, researchers, and anyone curious – to take part in a Wikipedia Editathon for Medievalists. Whether you have always wanted to write or improve a Wikipedia article, are looking for a low-pressure way to start writing about your topic, or simply want a productive and enjoyable distraction from exams or papers, this editathon offers a space to do so!
Participants are encouraged to bring a topic they would like to work on: this could be a medieval object, person, concept or manuscript; an existing Wikipedia article that needs improvement; or an article that could be translated into another language. Prior experience with Wikipedia editing is not required – beginners are very welcome. Bringing a few sources is helpful, but online articles or similar are perfectly acceptable starting points.
The editathon is designed as a low-pressure entry. Participants can focus on clarity, structure, and communicating knowledge to a broad audience rather than perfection or originality in the academic sense. Contributions can be published immediately, offering a rare sense of instant gratification alongside meaningful scholarly engagement. Throughout the session, support will be available, either through a short introductory tutorial or hands-on help in small groups, depending on participants’ needs.
Editing Wikipedia means contributing to a vibrant, active community and helping shape what knowledge is publicly visible. Make a public impact, practice digital humanities, be part of a broader effort to make Wikipedia more equitable (for example by addressing the persistent gender gap in biographical articles) and increase the visibility and accuracy of medieval topics on the platform! Please come by to write, to learn, to experiment, and to contribute to shared knowledge – all while eating pizza at 6pm!
Can’t wait to start? Read Help:Getting started with Wkipedia, especially Help:Your first article.
Excellent (German) articles, that are enjoyable to read and can be used as an inspiration – and could be translated ;):
Gebetbuch Ottos III. | Monatsbilder | Haus zum Walfisch
If you have any questions, please send an email to Louise Keitsch at louise.keitsch@kunstgeschichte.uni-freiburg.de