Introducing Our 2025 Nobleman Scholar

History definitely doesn’t exist in isolation, and it’s definitely not confined to the past. This year’s Nobleman Scholar, Kamila Costello, promises to be a great candidate to help further the work of Canada’s History Society during her time with us for those reasons and many others.

Kamila comes to us from Western University, where she is working on her master’s in public history. She has a passion for exploring and sharing a wide range of perspectives on history as well as for meaningful storytelling that fosters connections. Like we said, she’s a great fit! 

Since 2017, the Nobleman Scholars program has seen graduate students in public history at Western receiving an internship with Canada’s History Society to gain practical experience. This invaluable program is the result of the generosity of donor Dorothy Hollingsworth, a Western University alumna herself. Dorothy established it in honour of her late husband, William (Bill) Nobleman, a founding director of Canada’s History Society.

Not only does the Nobleman Scholar get a chance to contribute to bringing history to a general audience, Canada’s History benefits from the new approaches and knowledge they bring. For instance, Kamila has worked alongside her archaeologist mother, as well as in organizations committed to reducing food insecurity and combatting deforestation.

Everyone involved is deeply grateful to Dorothy Hollingsworth for her gift and for all that it makes possible in both bringing the stories of our past to a wider public and supporting the educators, community members, museum professionals and others who are also fostering understanding and connection through history.   

Kamila will arrive in May and work alongside our education and programs team until the end of September. “It’s especially meaningful because I grew up with Canada’s History magazine in my home. My parents and grandparents read it, and I remember seeing it on bookstore shelves,” she said. “To be selected as the Nobleman Scholar feels like a full-circle moment, something I can share with my family, who are so proud of me. It is an incredible honour and truly means the world to me.” 

You can support the work of Canada’s History Society to foster conversations and connections through an understanding of our country’s past.