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This is part of the lightning talk showcase in Wikimania 2023.

Intermediaries who interpret scientific information for the public have an outsized impact on civic decision-making. What are the similarities and differences in how different COVID-19 intermediaries assess, interpret, and disseminate scientific information? We report findings from our interviews of Wikipedia editors, journalists, activists, fact-checkers, filmmakers, bloggers, and social media influencers. We also briefly describe two upcoming case studies (artificial intelligence and labor; climate change).

Complex scientific and technical information is highly relevant to the average person. It affects policy, legislation, and choices people make in their day-to-day lives. Intermediaries who interpret scientific information for the public have an outsized impact on civic decision-making. What are the similarities and differences in how different COVID-19 intermediaries assess, interpret, and disseminate scientific information? We report findings from our interviews of Wikipedia editors, journalists, activists, fact-checkers, filmmakers, bloggers, and social media influencers. We also briefly describe two upcoming case studies (artificial intelligence and labor; climate change).

This project aims to understand the process knowledge brokers (including Wikimedians) use to assess, interpret, and disseminate scientific and technical information. For this project, we define knowledge brokers as information intermediaries who look for and gather scientific and technical information; choose information relevant to their audiences; transform it to fit the skills and understanding of their audiences; and share that information with the audiences through various platforms. Specifically, interviewees for this study include knowledge brokers such as Wikipedia editors, journalists, activists, fact-checkers, filmmakers, bloggers, and social media influencers.

This research project is funded by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. Our research will result in a model of how knowledge brokers assess technical and scientific information and a toolkit of services for public libraries. This will help public libraries support everyday citizens and knowledge brokers in finding high-quality information. Information about Wikimedians' needs will be helpful in suggesting relevant services that libraries could provide.

By Wikimania in August we will be completing our first case study and beginning two upcoming case studies:
Case 1: Public health and public policy decision-making around the COVID-19 pandemic.
Case 2: Artificial intelligence and the future of human labor.
Case 3: Climate change and its mitigation.

Presenter : Jodi Schneider