Dr Sheila K. Hoffman, Art Historian & Iconologist

Born in New Mexico and raised in Oregon, Dr. Sheila K. Hoffman has lived in 5 different countries and adventured through more than 30 others on 4 continents as a scholar of art history, world cultures and symbols. She refers to herself as, “A female Robert Langdon (minus the tweed) with a passion for all things ancient. A sci-fi geek and an incurable explorer. A culinary crusader, foodie adventurer and pretty good cook.”

In addition to more than 10 years of experience as a museum curator and director, Sheila has two doctoral degrees: One from Paris’ Sorbonne in Art History and the other from the Université du Québec à Montréal in Museology, Heritage and Cultural Mediation. Her dissertation on how digital technologies can transform world heritage was fully funded by Canada’s prestigious Vanier scholarship. She has also authored several books and articles, including an acclaimed examination of indigenous ceramics of the Southwestern United States. She is adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and has lectured in the Tufts University graduate program in Museum Studies. In addition, she serves as the Reviews Editor for the International Museum Worlds Journal. In 2020, her outstanding achievements in the cultural sector were honored with the Arts Luminary Award, given by the University of Oklahoma, where she conducted her master’s studies.

Sheila has appeared on the Science, Discovery and Travel Channels as an expert contributor on numerous topics related to ancient cultures and religions. She has lectured across the globe on topics ranging from the history of museums and indigenous collections to the use of cutting-edge technologies in cultural heritage. From ancient symbols to digital culture, Sheila believes fiercely in the power of cultural images and objects to transform our understanding of the world we share. When she’s not studying or teaching, you can find her exploring the world by bike or kayak.

Click here to view Sheila’s CV.