Digital Inclusion WikiConnect shows how St Andrews staff and students proved small contributions can drive big changes in sharing knowledge
Speaker
Abd Alsattar Ardati
Agenda
Start Time - 5:00pm
End Time - 6:00pm
Synopsis
Wikipedia and its sister projects have become essential pillars of global knowledge-sharing, but they are far from perfect.
Gaps in coverage and skewed information disproportionately impact underrepresented communities, creating a biased view of the world.
These gaps don’t just affect knowledge—they lay the groundwork for biased AI systems that rely on flawed data.
In this webinar, we’ll present the Digital Inclusion WikiConnect project, an initiative launched in 2024 to tackle these challenges head-on.
WikiConnect empowers participants with the skills and resources to close critical knowledge gaps, raise awareness about digital poverty, and build a more inclusive, equitable digital knowledge ecosystem.
Led by Abd Alsattar Ardati, a Lecturer and Kirsty Ross, Industrial Liaison at the University of St Andrews, the initiative focuses on collaborative content creation to address the digital divide and bring diverse perspectives to Wikipedia.
By curating accessible, high-quality content on digital inclusion, WikiConnect doesn’t just document inequalities—it actively works to reduce them.
During the session, Abd and Freddie Quek will explore the role of shared knowledge in breaking down barriers to digital literacy. They’ll also share examples of how small, deliberate contributions can ripple outward, driving meaningful change and empowering communities. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of WikiConnect’s impact and practical steps for joining the effort.
The session will close with a Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and join the conversation.
About the speaker
Host Freddie Quek is a global technology leader who has worked across many industry sectors. He started the #JoiningTheDots of 15 UK tech communities to address #digitalinclusion, became special advisor and Community Board member of the Digital Poverty Alliance and established the BCS Digital Divide Specialist Group.
He serves on the boards at University of Bristol, BCS Influence Board and eLife, and a member of the Technology Advisory Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is a Fellow of BCS and judge for the UK IT Industry and Women in IT awards.
Speaker Abd Alsattar Ardati is a Lecturer at the University of St Andrews and a passionate advocate for digital inclusion.
His research focuses on participatory design and socio-technical solutions to address digital poverty and open knowledge gaps.
Abd co-leads the IDEA Network, empowering communities to collaboratively with researchers enrich Wikipedia and build a more equitable digital future.
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
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For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
This event is brought to you by: Digital Divide Specialist Group, Hampshire Branch and Dorset Branch
