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Growing up, Kamila Costello often accompanied her archaeologist mother, Mala Murty, to excavations in St. Catharines, St. Davids and Tavistock, Ont. Getting her hands dirty, spending time with artifacts and visiting historic sites fostered her love of history from a young age. Those hands-on experiences also helped her to see how the past shapes the world today.

Costello, who is a master’s student in public history at Western University in London, Ont., applies this perspective to her work, aiming to show how deeply connected the past is to the present and bringing history to life through meaningful storytelling.

Her dedication to education, historical research and public engagement makes her a natural fit for the Nobleman Scholars program, an annual internship at Canada’s History Society for graduate students from Western University. Dorothy Hollingsworth, a Western University alumna, established the endowment program in 2017 to honour her husband, William (Bill) Nobleman, a founding director of Canada’s History Society.

“It’s exciting to join the legacy of public historians who have come before me,” says Costello. “It’s an incredible way to begin my career and a reminder of the responsibility that comes with this role.”

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As a Nobleman Scholar, Costello brings not only her passion for history but also a commitment to fostering connections and sharing multiple perspectives. This inclusive approach stems from Costello’s experiences beyond academia. For three years, she worked in the environmental non-profit sector, engaging her local community on such issues as deforestation and food insecurity. This experience taught her the importance of collaboration and community awareness. In her role with Canada’s History Society, Costello will have the opportunity to put these values into action, shaping educational resources that support teachers and students and contributing to programs that respond to the needs of our audiences.

The Nobleman Scholars program is more than just an internship — it’s a chance for students to grow as public historians, gaining mentorship and real-world experience. For Costello, this opportunity allows her to develop skills while making meaningful contributions. “I know this is a place where I can learn, contribute and truly make an impact,” she says.

Having also grown up with Canada’s History magazine in her home, Costello says that being selected as this year’s Nobleman Scholar holds special significance. “It feels like a full-circle moment,” she says. “It is an incredible honour and truly means the world to me.”

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This article originally appeared in the June-July 2025 issue of Canada's History magazine.