TXST doctoral student awarded AAUW International Fellowship
Hilary Ansah, a fifth-year doctoral student in geography at Texas State University, has been selected for a 2025-2026 American Association of University Women International Fellowship.
This program seeks to promote education and equity for women by investing in international applicants who will be pursuing postgraduate studies or research in the U.S., with the intention of applying their expertise, professional skills, and leadership in the context of their home countries and beyond them.
Ansah’s ongoing research examines how gentrification shapes food access and vulnerability in urban communities. For her Ph.D., she is looking at food access in changing neighborhoods in East Austin, focusing on how gentrification affects vulnerable communities’ ability to access affordable, nutritious food.
“This work matters because it shows that urban change does not affect everyone equally, and it brings community voices into conversations about planning, health, and policy."
Hilary Ansah
She combines spatial analysis with lived experiences to understand how rising costs, displacement pressures, and limited access to healthy food affect daily life.
“My goal is to use geographic research to better understand how social and economic change affects everyday life, particularly for communities with limited access to resources and opportunities,” said Ansah.
Her interest in geography began with a curiosity about places and social changes, leading her to observe cities through a new lens. Ansah remembers feeling initially drawn to news stories about street evictions carried out by city task forces.
“I recognized the risks these changes posed to both the livelihoods of local vendors and the availability of affordable food in the low‑income communities that relied on them,” said Ansah.
This image shows luxury townhomes on one side of the street and older, traditionally built houses on the other in East Austin, highlighting shifts in the neighborhood’s housing landscape. Photo by Hilary Ansah.
Ansah began her academic journey with a bachelor’s degree at the University of Ghana. She then earned a master’s degree in geography with a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate at the University of North Texas.
Over the course of her career, she has received several awards, such as the P.E.O. International Scholarship, Phi Kappa Phi Love of Learning Award, and the Four Brothers Geography Scholarship. She has also been awarded several travel scholarships that allowed her to present her work at national conferences. Recognizing the impact of these awards on her career, she hopes to one day provide these resources for others.
“In addition to my research and teaching, I am committed to producing scholarship that is accessible and useful beyond academic audiences, particularly for practitioners and communities navigating urban change,” said Ansah.
Most recently, she worked as a doctoral instructional assistant at TXST, helping develop a new Spatial Data Science and Public Health course. Amongst her previous assistantships, she was a research assistant on a National Science Foundation funded project, providing GIS support while producing spatial analyses and maps for reporting.
This image shows a community mural in East Austin asking, “What do you miss about East Austin?” Documenting community discourse surrounding neighborhood change. Photo by Hilary Ansah.
When applying for the AAUW International Fellowship, Ansah encourages applicants to trust the value of their experiences and work, making sure to spotlight why it matters and how it connects to a larger purpose.
“A strong application is not just about listing achievements, but about showing clarity, intention, and alignment with AAUW’s mission.”
Ansah resonates with the application process as an opportunity to look back on her progress and work, connecting her background and long-term commitment to women’s empowerment.
“The AAUW application process encouraged me to slow down and reflect deeply on my story, not just what I have accomplished, but why my work matters and who it serves,” said Ansah.
She hopes this fellowship will allow her to continue building a career that bridges research, education, community engagement, and business. She is particularly interested in translating research into teaching, mentorship, and applied work that supports decision-making in public, nonprofit, and business settings.
“Over time, I aim to contribute to leadership and educational spaces that expand access, foster confidence, and create pathways for underrepresented women and scholars to thrive,” said Ansah.
