By Sushma Upadhayay ’27
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Library Services and the Dominguez Center for Data Science organized the Ada Lovelace Day Wikipedia Edit-a-thon, where interested students and faculty gathered at Bertrand Library. The main focus of this event was to come together to improve the representation of women and underrepresented groups in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The workshop took place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and provided participants with an opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s largest online information resources, Wikipedia.
Many people have heard of Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century English mathematician widely recognized as the first computer programmer. Throughout history, women and other underrepresented groups have made significant contributions to STEM, but their achievements are often disregarded in online resources like Wikipedia. By encouraging participants to enhance the quality and visibility of Wikipedia entries about these individuals, the edit-a-thon sought to close this gap. The event was led by Bucknell librarians Carrie Pirmann and Nora Boyle. The workshop introduced participants to the process of editing Wikipedia. We gathered to research, review, and make edits to Wikipedia pages while learning about the importance of using reliable sources, providing accurate information, and maintaining a neutral point of view. The event didn’t require prior Wikipedia editing experience, so even students like me, who had never edited Wikipedia before, were able to make changes. This also made the event accessible to anyone interested in learning and contributing.
Beyond learning how to edit Wikipedia, this workshop was about recognizing the contributions of women and other underrepresented groups in STEM whose work has often been overlooked. By gathering together on Wednesday evening, we made edits to Wikipedia pages, taking important and meaningful steps toward making information about STEM more inclusive and accessible. By working together to improve publicly available information, participants helped support greater recognition of individuals whose accomplishments deserve more visibility. The event also reminded us that supporting diversity in STEM is not just about encouraging future generations, but also about giving recognition to those who have already made important contributions to the field.