Navigating Challenging Spaces On-Wiki - developing a toolkit to support editors.
As we work collectively on pursuing Knowledge Equity, and improving on-wiki coverage of groups and subjects currently underrepresented in the Wikimedia projects, we may well encounter challenges unique to those subject areas. Established editors as well as those new to Wikimedia may feel vulnerable or exposed, or have other negative experiences which leave them discouraged from continuing their involvement with the movement.
In January 2026, Wikimedia UK, Wikimedia LGBT+ and the Volunteer Supporters Network presented the event Navigating challenging topics: creating a toolkit for supporting editors. This event featured speakers and breakout discussion to bring together advice and best practice both for editors and those supporting editors who work in on-wiki areas which might be considered more challenging. The event was not recorded, but collaborative notes were taken, and at time of writing, an e-booklet is being produced to share that learning with the wider Wikimedia community.
This workshop is intended to further the discussion around this topic. Following a short presentation on the outcomes of the January event, participants will be invited to discuss the challenges they have faced, and share potential solutions to those challenges, as we work to improve the support for both editors, and those supporting editors, working in those on-wiki areas which may be fraught with higher conflict. In order to allow a more open discussion, this session will not be recorded, but an anonymised summation of key learning points will be shared.
