A new study, published in Anatomical Sciences Education, provides evidence that researchers and scientific organizations can significantly improve public access to accurate, high-quality information through structured engagement with Wikipedia, one of the most widely used knowledge platforms in the world and an increasingly influential source for both search engines and artificial intelligence systems.
The project focused on the Wikipedia page for the American Association for Anatomy (AAA), a leading scientific society that plays a central role in shaping research and education in anatomy. Despite its influence, the organization’s public-facing Wikipedia presence was found to be incomplete and underdeveloped.
“Wikipedia is the world’s most accessed encyclopedia, yet many scientific organizations underestimate how they appear on the platform,” said Mike Pascoe, PhD, associate professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz and study author. “That matters more than ever, not just for public understanding, but for how information is surfaced through search and AI.”
The study began with a baseline audit of the AAA Wikipedia page, revealing substantial gaps. The main body of the page contained only about 220 words, with limited references and information, limited structure and few contributors.
Using a research-based editing strategy grounded in science communication principles and Wikipedia’s editorial standards, Pascoe implemented a comprehensive set of improvements. These included the addition of well-sourced content on the organization’s mission, governance, publications, awards, meetings and outreach activities—core elements that were previously missing.
“Many people assume Wikipedia is unregulated or lacks oversight, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Pascoe. “There are strong editorial standards and quality assessment frameworks in place. The question is whether experts are actively engaging in shaping the information.”
Following the intervention, the AAA Wikipedia page showed substantial improvements across multiple metrics:
To evaluate perception, the study included a survey of stakeholders, including AAA members, anatomists and students. Respondents reported high levels of perceived credibility, trust and educational usefulness after reviewing the revised article.
The findings extend beyond a single organization, pointing to a broader shift in how scientific information is discovered and consumed. “If academics care about public scholarship, they should care about Wikipedia,” said Pascoe. “This is a direct way to ensure that accurate, accessible information reaches the public, and increasingly, the AI systems that mediate knowledge.”