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Faculty of Arts and Science Professor Rosaleen Hill has been awarded the Charles Mervyn Ruggles Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of heritage and art conservation.

The award, announced at the annual conference of the (CAC-ACCR), recognizes Professor Hill’s (Department of Art History and Art Conservation) achievements in advancing conservation practice in Canada and her commitment to the ethics and ideals of the profession. The award aims to encourage the pursuit of excellence in conservation across Canada.

“It’s a significant award for me because you are nominated by peers,” Professor Hill says, “and it’s awarded by our national professional association. I was honestly shocked when I received the email in the summertime and, when I look back at the previous Ruggles award winners, it’s such a remarkable group of conservators and conservation scientists, even to be considered in that group is humbling and inspiring.

“What is signifies to me is the energy, the intensity that I put into this discipline, the curiosity, the time I’ve taken with students and that I’ve tried to take with each museum and each curator I’ve worked with over the years, it was been time well spent. It’s validation and something that’s inspiring me right now.”

Dr. Hill says the award is more of a retrospective award for contributions to the conservation field over time. “It really reflects the impact that your career, your outreach, your teaching has had on the community. I was awarded for education – not only education teaching but I’ve also spent quite a few years as a conservation consultant working across Canada. I hope I’ve had an impact in each of the institutions that I visited.”

When asked to look back on her career path and how she came into the field of conservation, Dr. Hill says she wouldn’t have discovered this career if it wasn’t for the opportunity, as an undergrad, to take courses with Miriam Clavier, who is a graduate of the first class of the Art Conservation program at Queen’s and a previous Ruggles winner.

“She was just so inspiring, taking young me who wanted to somehow combine science and my love of archaeology and cultural history. So being able to work with her changed the trajectory of my life. This career has been incredibly rewarding – it's allowed me to remain curious and passionate about this field for almost 40 years.”

Dr. Hill also talks about the students she’s worked with and will continue to work with. “They are smart, they’re focused, they’re at the start of their careers. With the knowledge and experience I have, how can I build a platform for our students so they can spring to whatever discipline they are interested in. How can I open doors?”