Alumna Sophie Raobeharilala selected as a finalist for this year’s British Council Alumni Awards
BA (Hons) History of Art with Museum Studies alumna Sophie Raobeharilala has been selected as a finalist in the British Council Alumni Awards, in the category of Culture and Creativity Award.
These prestigious international awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of UK alumni around the world and recognise leaders in their fields who have used their experience of studying at a UK university to make a positive contribution to their communities, industries and countries.
Now in its tenth year, the British Council Alumni Awards 2024 received more than 1,450 applications from international UK alumni in more than 90 countries, representing more than 140 UK higher education institutions across the UK.
Sophie Raobeharilala, who graduated from the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies in 2008, is one of nine University of Leeds global alumni to have been selected as finalists in their country for their category.
Boxes of archives from the Archives Nationales in France. Photo courtesy of Sophie Raobeharilala.
Following her undergraduate degree in Art history with Museum Studies, Sophie undertook a PG Certificate in Antiquities Trafficking and Art Crime at the University of Glasgow. She describes both courses as providing her with “invaluable insights into the world of art crime and the importance of preserving cultural heritage”, leading her into a career in art provenance research in Modern Art.
Sophie’s first position was curator assistant at the National Museum of Ethnography in Malta, locating items for the museum's collection and creating a permanent display and trail in the palace's kitchen and dining room.
Sophie then dedicated herself to unravelling the histories of artworks, ensuring their rightful place in the art world – for example, through working at Sotheby's restitution department in London on the traceability of a Pissarro.
Sophie listened to heirs of Holocaust victims explain the importance of the sentimental value any looted item had, and decided to explore the field of looted vehicles as assistant provenance researcher at Technisches Museum in Vienna. She subsequently became one of the few provenance researchers in Europe working on looted cars.
Sophie has worked on more than fifty research cases related to provenance claims and inquiries. Notably, she partnered with the Mission for Research and Restitution of Cultural Property Dispossessed between 1933 and 1945 (M2RS) under the Ministry of Culture, where she contributed to art provenance research as well as supporting heirs of victims of the Holocaust.
Diving into the unknown can be a startling cocktail of doubts and joys.
Sophie said:
“I would say that to me being selected as a finalist first and foremost makes me proud to see humanities honoured.
“I am of course pleased to see my unconventional career path influenced by French and British (even more Yorkshire) cultures as well as my heritage being recognised. I find it reassuring to see cross-disciplinary professions in the limelight in a social time redefining careers.
“Thanks to my insatiable curiosity, I have always been attracted to fields of work often labelled as niche, with all the difficulties it implies. Diving into the unknown can be a startling cocktail of doubts and joys.
“However when passion is in the equation, obstacles become secondary to that feeling of fulfilment. Passion as a life compass, determination and an open mind are key to a fascinating career.”
Back of a canvas with labels and writings. Photo courtesy of Sophie Raobeharilala.
Mark Westgarth, Professor in the History of the Art Market and programme director for BA History of Art with Museum Studies from 2007 to 2019, said:
“I'm so thrilled for Sophie; it is such fantastic news to hear she is a finalist for this award.
“Since graduating from the University of Leeds back in 2008, Sophie has stayed in touch with a yearly Christmas card and updates on her career journey. She has such energy for engaging in new experiences, from postgraduate courses in food history and art trafficking, to curating exhibitions.
“Being nominated for a British Council Alumni Award is a real testament to Sophie's creative spirit and an inspiration to students everywhere.”
Professor Joanne Crawford, Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, said:
“Even when our students graduate and become alumni they remain an important part of our ever-expanding community – we are so proud of all their achievements and the amazing people they become.
“We are especially pleased for Sophie, especially for the recognition she so richly deserves in being shortlisted for the British Council Alumni Award: what an incredible achievement.
“Sophie will serve as an inspiration for all those who follow. We all wish her the very best of luck with her nomination.”
Passion as a life compass, determination and an open mind are key to a fascinating career.
Dr Jasjit Singh, Pro Dean International in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures, said:
"We are incredibly proud of Sophie for being been shortlisted and selected as a finalist for the British Council Alumni Awards. Sophie’s achievements not only reflect her individual dedication and hard work but also highlight the high standards of excellence that our Faculty nurtures.
“We celebrate Sophie’s success and the positive impact she continues to make in her field, embodying the values and spirit of our academic community."
All of the winners who have been selected across all categories in the British Council Alumni Awards for France will be announced at an award ceremony in Paris on 28 March.
More information
Listen to Sophie talking about being shortlisted for the award in this interview on the British Council Alumni Awards celebration page.
Full details about the awards and the finalists can be found on the British Council’s Study UK website.
Find out about studying in the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.
Feature image
Photo courtesy of Sophie Raobeharilala.
