editathons

An editathon is an event where people gather to collaboratively edit and improve content on a specific platform, most commonly Wikipedia. These events are designed to encourage the creation of new articles, the expansion of existing ones, and the general enhancement of the quality and quantity of information available. Editathons often focus on a particular topic or theme, such as a specific historical period, a scientific field, a cultural movement, or an underrepresented community.

Participants, who may range from experienced editors to complete newcomers, work together in a shared physical or virtual space. This collaborative environment facilitates learning, knowledge sharing, and community building. Experienced editors often mentor beginners, explaining editing guidelines, citation practices, and the nuances of the platform's policies. Editathons can take place in libraries, universities, museums, or online through virtual meeting platforms.

The goals of an editathon extend beyond simply adding text. They aim to address content gaps, increase the diversity of topics and editors, and promote digital literacy. By bringing people together with a common purpose, editathons help to democratize knowledge creation and ensure that online information is more comprehensive and representative of the real world. These events are crucial for the ongoing development and sustainability of open-access knowledge platforms.