Dr. Donna Schaeffer, professor in the College of Business, Innovation, Leadership and Technology at Marymount University, has been sponsored by the National Science Policy Network as a Wiki Scientist.
“Each month, 500 million users access a Wikipedia page as a starting point for their research or to learn more about a variety of topics,” Dr. Schaeffer explained. “It’s important that the site provides neutral and fact-based information.”
The National Science Policy Network, a nonprofit that raises awareness of science and technology among policymakers and the general public, organized an immersive forum where 12 selected members of the organization from across the country learned how to contribute science policy content on Wikipedia. In that forum, Dr. Schaeffer and other members participated in training to understand Wikipedia’s technical, procedural and cultural practices.
“We learned the technical aspects of creating Wikipedia entries, as well as the culture of informing the public,” Dr. Schaeffer said. “Given the recent turmoils of the pandemic and civil unrest, providing reliable and unbiased information is more crucial than ever.”
Moving forward as a Wiki Scientist, Dr. Schaeffer plans to write and edit Wikipedia entries weekly on cybersecurity topics. She will carry on the mission of fact-based information as she teaches a summer seminar in the Doctorate of Science in Cybersecurity program called “National and International Cybersecurity Policy.”
“In addition to hearing from policy experts on current topics, I will train the students to write Wikipedia entries. Hopefully, we will add a few good entries on cybersecurity topics that Marymount students deem to be important,” Dr. Schaeffer added. “It helps their careers, and it will help inform people who want to know more!”
