Ashley Brown

Ashley Brown is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, holding the Allan H. Selig Chair in the History of Sport and Society. Her research spans Sport History, African American History, Women’s History, and Biography, with a focus on intersections of culture, labor, media, and social movements.

Education:

• Ph.D., George Washington University
• B.A., Mount Holyoke College

Research Interests: Brown’s work critically examines the socio-cultural impact of sports, particularly through racial and gendered lenses. Her award-winning biography Serving Herself explores Althea Gibson’s legacy, while her articles analyze topics like Cold War-era sports diplomacy and media representation of athletes.

Academic Trends: Her publications reflect expertise in historical analysis of sports, race, gender dynamics, and transnational cultural exchanges. Articles range from archival studies of African American athletes to critiques of media narratives.

Scientific Awards:

• Shapiro Book Prize (2025)
• Harry Shaw and Katrina Hazzard-Donald Award (2024)
• Herbert Warren Wind Award (2023)
• Letitia Woods Brown Book Prize (2023)
• Vilas Faculty Early-Career Investigator Award (2023-2026)

Grants and Fellowships: Brown has secured competitive fellowships including the Nellie McKay Fellowship (2020-2021), Vilas Early-Career Award (2023-2026), and a Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Emory University (2017-2018).