The history department at Middlebury College may have made headlines when it barred students from citing Wikipedia in their research papers, but a growing number of historians are adding their own contributions to the site. Ralph E. Luker of Cliopatria, a group blog for historians, sees that as a sign that “they have assumed significant responsibility for their fields.”

Luker reports that 80 historians of science now update the online encyclopedia; more than 600 military historians (amateur and professional) contribute; 30 Russian historians; and the list goes on. “There are, obviously, many gaps — fields that are not covered,” says Luker. “Think of them as opportunities.”