Dr. Ruby Heap’s career has been exemplary in forging a path for women in engineering.

Trained as an historian, she specializes in the history of women in higher education and the professions.

A Professor in the University of Ottawa's History Department, Ruby Heap is Associate Vice-President, Research. Her research focuses both on women who have completed graduate studies and on women and their careers, with a special emphasis on women in engineering.

As a graduate student and a young researcher, she was drawn to women's history, which was then emerging as an exciting new field aimed at "making women visible" as historical subjects. Her career led her to the Department of History at the University of Ottawa, where she later became founding Director of the Institute of Women's Studies (IWS) – which boasts a free-standing doctoral program in women's studies, world-class research, and a robust national and international reputation thanks to expanding partnerships and collaborations.

Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Heap remains committed to the training of students through graduate supervisions and their participation in her research teams.

Professional Engineers Ontario is honoured to recognize Dr. Heap for her work in encouraging young women to study engineering and sciences, and her commitment to enhancing the status of women in the profession.