Schulich professor named board chair for Chemical Institute of Canada

Dr. Josephine Hill, PhD, has made a career out of strengthening connections.

The Schulich School of Engineering professor turned her engineering passion into a lifelong journey of service to the profession and was named chair of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) at its annual general meeting in June, taking over from Dr. Deborah Nicoll-Griffith, PhD.

Hill has been described by her peers as a pioneer, role model and inspiration.

“It’s wonderful,” she says. “The simple notes of thanks from the people who I have impacted energize me.”

A decorated career

Hill’s love of engineering started at a young age. She recalls that her father was an engineer who would often discuss things in a scientific way.

Connecting math, chemistry and problem-solving, she earned both bachelor’s and master’s in applied science in chemical engineering at the University of Waterloo before receiving her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Hill began her role as a UCalgary professor in 2002, looking to focus her research efforts on catalysis, which are materials that increase the speed of reactions and improve the selectivity to desired products.

Her teaching in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering has contributed to her recognition through awards and accolades including Mentor of the Millenium from the Alberta Women’s Science Network, the Women in Engineering and Geoscience Champion Award from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA), and she was also named a Killam Annual Professor by UCalgary. She also served on the board of directors for the Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering, is president of the Canadian Catalysis Foundation and has served as chair of CIC’s Canadian Catalysis Division.

“I’m proud of being able to make a difference in catalysis research, in how women are perceived in engineering and academia, and in the careers of many of the excellent colleagues and students I have mentored,” Hill says.

Making positive change

Hill says “strengthening connections” will be her theme over the next year as CIC chair, as she wants the board and its membership to feel more engaged within the organization.

Many people felt less connected after the COVID-19 pandemic, she says, adding she hopes to bridge that gap with initiatives like an onboarding workshop for board members to help set them up for success in their roles.

“We have several common interest groups in the CIC that need support to continue their initiatives,” Hill says. “I’ve listened to the needs of these groups and am following up with the board to mobilize resources.”

She also plans to streamline and document CIC operations to improve efficiency and make jobs easier for those who take leadership positions in the future.

“I’m motivated to improve the opportunities for others and speak up for those who don’t have a voice,” Hill says. “I can look holistically at a system and find ways to facilitate benefits for everyone.”

Following her year as CIC chair, Hill will serve a further one-year term as past chair.