Awarding the self in Wikipedia: Identity work and the disclosure of knowledge

Abstract

The ‘behind-the-scenes’ discussion and edit pages of Wikipedia reveal a complex layering of debates and discussion between editors. Focusing on how Wikipedia ‘service awards’ can identify and distinguish editors, this paper explores the disclosure of knowledge as it is intimately bound up with identity work. Examining contributions/edits to Wikipedia as disclosures highlights processes of identity management and work.