Shifting the Spotlight
Harmonie Wildharber, an SPS reporter from the University of North Alabama, at the 2022 Physics Congress.
Photo courtesy of Wildharber.
The edit-a-thon at the 2022 Physics Congress focused on filling information gaps on the pages of scientists from minoritized communities in physics and astronomy—notably women, people of color, and people with disabilities. We had access to related books and records with accurate information. Then we chose an article to go through and edit, correcting misinformation and adding more details on the accomplishments and contributions of our chosen subject.
This workshop was eye-opening for our chapter, as it shed light on how underrepresentation can affect the recognition of people who have and continue to make contributions in a variety of fields, not just physics and astronomy. The edit-a-thon inspired our chapter secretary, Madison Guth, to organize a related trivia event around Black History Month and Women’s History Month. We are also organizing a trip to a local high school whose population majority lives below the poverty line. We want to expose the students to experiences and materials they may not be able to access otherwise.
The Wikipedia edit-a-thon has had a lasting impact on the students in our SPS chapter, and we have pledged to continue spreading awareness of people who have been unjustly overshadowed by others, both inside and outside of the physics and astronomy community.
