# Adam Shorland > software developer **Wikidata**: [Q91147129](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q91147129) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/adam-shorland ## Summary Adam Shorland is a software developer and computer scientist known for his significant contributions to the Wikibase and Wikidata ecosystems. Employed by Wikimedia Deutschland for a decade (2013–2023), he developed key software extensions such as WikibaseInWikitext and remains an active member of the Wikibase Stakeholder Group. ## Biography * **Known for:** Software development within the Wikimedia movement, specifically concerning Wikidata and Wikibase. * **Employer(s):** Wikimedia Deutschland (2013 – May 2023). * **Field(s):** Computer Science, Software Engineering, Programming. * **Member of:** Wikibase Stakeholder Group. * **Online Aliases:** Addshore. ## Contributions Adam Shorland has made concrete contributions to the open-source infrastructure of the Wikimedia movement, primarily through his long tenure at Wikimedia Deutschland. His work focused on the technical development and maintenance of Wikidata, the free knowledge base, and Wikibase, the software that powers it. One of his specific technical contributions is the development of **WikibaseInWikitext**. This MediaWiki extension enables users to render results from SPARQL queries directly within wiki pages, bridging the gap between structured data and wiki text content. Shorland was a core part of the Wikibase journey for ten years. He joined Wikimedia Deutschland in 2013 to work specifically on Wikidata shortly after its inception. Throughout his employment, he operated under the username "Addshore," contributing to the software engineering and stability of the platform. Although his employment with Wikimedia Deutschland concluded in May 2023, he continues his involvement in the field as a member of the Wikibase Stakeholder Group, indicating an ongoing role in the broader community that utilizes this technology. ## FAQs ### Q: What is Adam Shorland's role in the Wikimedia community? A: Adam Shorland is a software developer and computer scientist who worked for Wikimedia Deutschland from 2013 to 2023. He is best known for his work on the Wikibase software and Wikidata. ### Q: What specific software did Adam Shorland create? A: He developed **WikibaseInWikitext**, a MediaWiki extension that allows for the rendering of SPARQL query results on wiki pages. ### Q: Is Adam Shorland still involved with Wikibase development? A: While his employment with Wikimedia Deutschland ended in May 2023, he remains a member of the Wikibase Stakeholder Group, maintaining a connection to the ecosystem. ### Q: What username does Adam Shorland use online? A: He uses the handle **Addshore**, which is identified as his preferred Wikimedia username. ## Why They Matter Adam Shorland matters because of his foundational role in the development and engineering of Wikidata, one of the world's largest and most utilized free knowledge bases. As a software engineer for Wikimedia Deutschland during a critical decade (2013–2023), he helped build and maintain the technical infrastructure that allows structured data to be collected and shared freely across the internet. His work directly impacts the usability of Wikidata and the MediaWiki software. By creating tools like WikibaseInWikitext, he enabled more complex data interactions within wiki environments, empowering editors to visualize and utilize structured data without leaving the wiki interface. His long-term commitment and continued participation in the Wikibase Stakeholder Group highlight his lasting influence on how structured data is managed and deployed within the open-knowledge community. ## Notable For * **Decade-long Tenure:** Served as a software developer for Wikimedia Deutschland for exactly 10 years (2013 – May 2023). * **Wikibase Development:** Played a key role in the "Wikibase journey" from its early days. * **Software Extension:** Created WikibaseInWikitext to enable SPARQL query rendering on wiki pages. * **Community Leadership:** Recognized as a member of the Wikibase Stakeholder Group. * **Open Source Identity:** Maintains a distinct identity as "Addshore" across Wikimedia projects. ## Body ### Professional Career Adam Shorland is recognized as a programmer, computer scientist, and software engineer. His most significant professional engagement was with **Wikimedia Deutschland**. According to employment records, he joined the organization in 2013 specifically to work on the emerging Wikidata project. His tenure lasted exactly ten years, concluding in May 2023. During this period, he was heavily involved in the "Wikibase journey," contributing to the software that underpins Wikidata. ### Technical Contributions Shorland's work involved the creation and maintenance of MediaWiki extensions. A specific cited work is **WikibaseInWikitext**. This extension is defined as a tool that "allows rendering results from SPARQL queries on wiki pages." This contribution signifies his role in enhancing the interoperability between structured query language and wiki text, facilitating better data presentation for users. ### Community and Identity Within the Wikimedia ecosystem, Shorland is identified by his username, **Addshore**. This handle is listed as his preferred Wikimedia username and is linked to his activities on Meta-Wiki and Wikimedia Commons. His engagement with the community extends beyond direct employment; he is listed as a member of the **Wikibase Stakeholder Group**, an organization focused on the development and use of Wikibase software. ### Recognition Shorland is categorized as a "Wikimedian" and a "computer scientist" by classification. His image is archived in the Wikimedia Commons category "Adam Shorland," specifically from the Wikimedia Hackathon in 2024, indicating his continued presence in community events even after his formal employment ended. ## References 1. [Source](https://betweenthebrackets.libsyn.com/episode-80-adam-shorland) 2. [Source](https://addshore.com/2022/02/wikibase-a-history/) 3. [Source](https://lists.wikimedia.org/hyperkitty/list/wikidata@lists.wikimedia.org/message/47IG5Q6UCLDKQEGWU7SEWKHDELIBQDU5/) 4. [Source](https://wbstakeholder.group/members) 5. [Source](https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Addshore)