How can editing Wikipedia be an act of social justice? WIRED has called Wikipedia the last best place on the Internet: “More than an encyclopedia, Wikipedia has become a community, a library, a constitution, an experiment, a political manifesto—the closest thing there is to an online public square.” And yet, the site has many flaws because it is built by flawed humans. Articles are missing critical context around colonialism, misogyny, and racism that is necessary to understand our culture and our future. How do we collectively rectify bias on the site? Join Erin O’Neil, the University of Alberta Library's Wikipedian in Residence in conversation with Kira Wisniewski, executive director of Art + Feminism, to discuss her organization’s work in information activism and ponder how the future of Wikipedia is in our hands. 

Kira Wisniewski is the Executive Director of Art+Feminism. She has a can-do attitude and passion for community, capacity building, and the arts with expertise in non-profit structures, operations, and events. Outside of Art + Feminism, Kira is the host and co-organizer of CreativeMornings/Baltimore, co-founded the non-profit 826DC, is an Awesome Foundation Baltimore co-dean, and volunteers with Fluid Movement and Special Olympics DC.  Born in South Korea and raised on Florida sunshine (where she earned her degree at the University of Miami), she has proudly been calling Baltimore home since 2012, where she lives with her partner and her pet rabbit, Billie Jean.

Registration is required, but the talk is free and open to everyone.

Diving Deeper into Wikipedia Speaker Series This fall, the Digital Scholarship Centre at the University of Alberta Library is hosting a series of talks to draw back the curtain on Wikipedia. There will be three-afternoon talks in the fall semester, offered online and recorded. The talks will be structured as a “fireside chat” between UAL’s Wikipedian in Residence and special guest speakers. 

Questions? Please feel free to contact Erin O’Neil eloneil[at]ualberta.ca 

This speaker series is supported by a grant from Wikimedia Canada.