Hillary was a Research Intern at ASPI. Her research focuses on Southeast Asia and the Pacific. She has contributed to ASPI projects on disinformation, climate change, critical technology, cyber security, health security, Indonesia, ASEAN and Indo-Pacific maritime strategy. She has published with The Strategist, The Australian, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

She holds a Combined Honours Degree in History and Indonesian Studies, a Diploma of Languages in Indonesian, and a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient World Studies, from the University of Melbourne. She has also studied at Boston College, Gadjah Mada University, Udayana University and Parahyangan University.

Prior to joining ASPI, Hillary taught at the University of Melbourne Asia Institute and the Australia Indonesia Association Victoria (AIAV).