NIHR is exploring the potential of using Wikipedia to disseminate health and care research, learn more with NIHR’s Wikipedian in residence, Adam Harangozó
In this webinar, Adam will:
- Talk about his role and explore how the NIHR is using Wikipedia to disseminate research findings and share insights.
- Explain how researchers, Patient and Public Involvement representatives and staff can participate in NIHR's project.
- There will also be the opportunity for a Q&A to discover more.
This webinar will be relevant for NIHR supported health, care, social care researchers; Patient and Public Involvement research representatives; Academy members, and NIHR staff.
Background
Wikipedia is one of the most visited health resources on the internet. English Wikipedia has more than 50,000 articles of medical relevance. Its medical articles have been viewed nearly two billion times in 2021. 50-70% of UK doctors consult it for healthcare information, and it is one of the most visited sources for medical students.
Contrary to its negative reputation, research has shown Wikipedia’s medical articles to be reliable and high-quality in general. Wikipedia also has rigorous policies ensuring the quality of content, for example requiring editors to cite reliable sources for all information they add to the encyclopedia.
Following the increasing academic interest in Wikipedia, in recent years many institutions employed Wikipedians in residence to expand their reach. The role aims to help the host institutions contribute their knowledge and research to Wikipedia articles. Institutions which employed a Wikipedian in residence include the British Library, the British Museum, Welcome, the University of Edinburgh, the USA’s NIOSH and National Institutes of Health, Cochrane and Cancer Research UK. Since December 2021, the NIHR also has a Wikipedian in residence, Adam Harangozo.