We recently launched our 2024 Wikipedia Edit–a–thon in Sydney and Canberra (registrations are selling fast)! During these events the FW community gathers to learn how to edit Wikipedia and increase the visibility of women from our sector. Here Dr Melanie Zeppel, Manager Natural Capital and Carbon Analytics at New Forests and one of the Superstars of STEM 2023–2024 cohort, writes about her motivations, inspirations and joys of writing Wikipedia pages.   

 

Always, my motivation to write Wikipedia pages is to uplift women in STEM, but sometimes it’s delightful to create balance after witnessing microaggressions.

When I witness misogyny, I write a Wikipedia page for another woman. Lifting up another person is a great antidote to create hope for a better world.

Franklin Women first introduced me to Wikipedia, in 2019, for their edit-a-thon, where I met some wonderful people, and learned to write wiki pages. I was particularly keen to learn how to write wiki pages, as it seemed a powerful and impactful method of elevating women globally, working from home, in the evenings and weekends. It’s also a really useful way to learn coding, which has been pretty helpful for my career as a lead data scientist. 

The impact of writing a Wikipedia page can be quantified, which helps for academic ECRs who need to document their impact. The number of page views of pages one has created can be measured, and then included in grant/promotion applications.  

Edit-a-thons have been brilliant for building networks of supportive women. After writing a page for Sue Barrell, we got in contact. I then nominated her for an Order of Australia (which she was awarded!). Franklin Women held their 2nd edit-a-thon in 2021, where we all caught up and enjoyed the amazing Women’s College at Sydney Uni.  

I have a couple of favourite pages:  

• Anjali Sharma who, aged 16, took the Federal Government to court, with a group of 16-year-olds and a nun (sworn to poverty, so none of them could be bankrupt), over a “duty of care” case. 
• Sam Mostyn, who’s page I wrote in ~2022, at the time she was working in women’s AFL and climate change and now is our Governor General. 

Writing about the inspiring achievements of women in STEM will raise their profile and status, possibly increase the likelihood of winning grants and prizes, and elevate their careers. For example, Georgina Long is now Australian of the Year. I love to regale my family with the achievements of the women I’ve written about that day, and I think my daughters are inspired by hearing about women’s accomplishments. My 16-year-old at the time bemusedly apologised for “not taking the Federal Government to court” after I wrote Anjali Sharma’s page.  

I’m inspired by Jess Wade and Annie Reynolds. Jess writes a wiki page a day, and nominates a woman for a prize on Sunday. Jess has written over 2000 pages; I’m creeping up to 100 pages (hoping for 100 by July 25th!). I highly recommend people come along on July 24th to Sydney Uni.