• data analysis
• data ethics
• gender representation
• gender studies
• knowledge base
• Wikidata

The main objective of this thesis project is to present the genesis, developments, and deliverables of the WiGeDi (Wikidata Gender Diversity) research project. The WiGeDi project was funded by the Wikimedia Foundation and is managed in collaboration with the Department of Information Studies at University College London. The study unites two fundamental macro-themes: that of Wikidata, a multilingual, collaborative knowledge base - and that of gender representation, more specifically of the most marginalised gender identities, i.e., non-binary and trans identities. The chapter traverses the historical context that led to the launch of Wikidata and presents an exploration of the fundamental aspects that define the functioning of the knowledge base. The second chapter is focused on outlining the theoretical aspects that are useful for understanding not only the gender system and, more specifically, gender-diverse identities, but also their application in the data-driven domain of Wikidata. The third chapter traces the WiGeDi (Wikidata Gender Diversity) project's inception, objectives, and overarching aim, i.e., to enhance gender diversity representation within Wikidata’s knowledge base and respective ontological model. The fourth chapter presents an exam of the evolution of gender representation within Wikidata's ontology. We dissect the current landscape of gender representation, analysing the taxonomy on which it is based. The fifth and final chapter presents the main deliverables of the WiGeDi project, each of which traverses the three main research approaches, namely the model, data, and community perspectives. Through the lens of collaborative knowledge creation, this thesis illuminates the intricacies of data modeling, the complexities of gender representation, and the broader implications that may reverberate through society. By delving into Wikidata's dimensions, we unearth the power of collaboration in shaping not only our understanding of knowledge but also the narratives that define our world and experiences.