Like libraries and archives, the National Museum of Australia is doing a Wikipedia project which includes editing articles and, soon, donating images. In addition to all of the reasons you outline, we’re also keen to improve the quality of Wikipedia articles on Australian history as a ‘public good’. We know that students and even ‘serious’ researchers use Wikipedia as a starting point – and isn’t it wonderful when an article’s footnotes and links lead to a wide range of authoritative sources?

Many academics, including those doing public history, don’t yet view Wikipedia as a key online publication where they can influence public discourse in their area of expertise. It’s also a great way of engaging with ‘amateurs’ around the world who are passionate about a topic. Last but not least, there’s a demographic issue: Wikipedia contributors are overwhelmingly young white men and, not surprisingly, it reflects their interests and expertise. Crowd sourced projects are enhanced and improved as the crowd becomes more diverse.

Thanks for this blog post – I hope that it will encourage more academics to contribute.