Wikipedia: The Power and the Pitfalls Part One with Dr. Heather Ford (434)

from Shirtloads of Science · host Dr. Karl

I'm joined by Dr. Heather Ford, ARC Future Fellow and Professor in the School of Communications at UTS, to explore the fascinating world of Wikipedia. Inspired by her article "We analysed 35,000 Wikipedia entries about Australian places. Some of them sanitise history" in The Conversation, we dive deep into the strengths and shortcomings of one of the internet's most beloved resources. We unpack how Wikipedia works behind the scenes: who edits it, how "edit wars" break out, and why it remains such a radical platform — a place where history can be written in real time, sometimes even before events unfold. Together, we question whether Wikipedia offers an honest account of Australia's past, particularly when it comes to Indigenous history. This is a two-parter so be sure to tune in next week for part 2. Connect with Dr. Heather Ford on Linkedin https://hblog.org/

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This episode was published on June 28, 2025.

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