Professor Julia Hirst PhD BSC PGCE SFHEA FRSA
Professor of Sexualities & Sexual Health
Summary
My background lies in education, sociology and health. My research and teaching concerns health, wellbeing and education, with specific interest in sexualities, sexual health and gender, relationships and sexualities education, young people and qualitative research methodologies. This work is informed by theories of power, sex and the body.
About
I am actively involved in research, teaching and doctoral supervision. Current projects (research, conferences etc) focus on sex-positive relationships and sex education (RSE); perceptions of anal sex; teaching about sexuality, gender & power at arms length through historical materials; RSE for the post-secular classroom; and loneliness and young people.
My writing and publications are underpinned by numerous primary research studies which involve a variety of reflexive research methodologies and cross-disciplinary, statutory and voluntary partnerships. I have experience of securing and managing externally funded research, directing research projects and submitted in all research assessment exercises (RAEs and REFs).
As one of the Research Leads for PSP in the College of Social Sciences and Arts, I serve as a conduit between the university and external organisations/markets for research, knowledge transfer, business development, education and professional development. As a Professor in Sociology and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, I offer leadership in research and mentorship, together with a broad teaching portfolio and evidence of excellence in teaching.
Teaching
Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics
College of Social Sciences and Arts
I teach on undergraduate and postgraduate modules in sociology, public health, sexualities and research methods.
I am committed to teaching and research approaches which help us to understand these subjects in relation to our everyday lives and equality of opportunities.
Courses taught:
- BA Sociology
- Msc Public Health
- MRes
Modules taught:
- Power, Sex and the Body (UG)
- Sociology of Youth (UG)
- Qualitative Research Methods (PG)
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (PG)
Research
Qualitive exploration of perceptions of anal sex
RSE for the post-secular classroom
Experiences of new fathers
Teaching & resources for learning about sex, gender & power at arms-length through historical materials
Critiquing the place of pleasure in SRE
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Pickles, J., Hirst, J., Kenny, M. & Froggatt, C. (2023) Perceptions of young women who engage in anal sex: A sociological inquiry. Journal of Positive Sexuality, Vol. 9, No. 1. https://doi.org/10.51681/1.91
Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2023). “Crying on the bus”: first time fathers’ experiences of distress 2 on their return to work. Healthcare, 11 (9). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091352
Hirst, J., Pickles, J., Kenny, M., Beresford, R., & Froggatt, C. (2022). A qualitative exploration of perceptions of anal sex: implications for sex education and sexual health services in England. Culture, Health and Sexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2022.2037020
Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2021). The Experiences of First-Time Fathers in Perinatal Services: Present but Invisible. Healthcare, 9 (2), e161. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9020161
Wood, R., Hirst, J., Wilson, L., & Burns-O'Connell, G. (2019). The pleasure imperative? Reflecting on sexual pleasure’s inclusion in sex education and sexual health. Sex Education, 19 (1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2018.1468318
Shearn, K., Piercy, H., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. (2019). Clarity, conviction and coherence supports buy-in to positive youth sexual health services: focused results from a realist evaluation. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 503. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4298-4
Shearn, K., Allmark, P., Piercy, H., & Hirst, J. (2017). Building realist programme theory for large complex and messy interventions. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16 (1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917741796
Hirst, J. (2012). It's got to be about enjoying yourself: young people, sexual pleasure,and sex and relationships education. Sex Education: sexuality, society and learning, 13 (4), 423-436. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2012.747433
Formby, E., Hirst, J., Owen, J., Hayter, M., & Stapleton, H. (2010). 'Selling it as a holistic health provision and not just about condoms ?' Sexual health services in school settings: current models and their relationship with sex and relationships education policy and provision. Sex education, 10 (4), 423-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2010.515099
Owen, J., Carroll, C., Cooke, J., Formby, E., Hayter, M., Hirst, J., ... Sutton, A. (2010). School-linked sexual health services for young people (SSHYP): a survey and systematic review concerning current models, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and research opportunities. Health technology assessment, 14 (30). https://doi.org/10.3310/hta14300
Hirst, J. (2008). Developing sexual competence? Exploring strategies for the provision of effective sexualities and relationships education. Sex education, 8 (4), 399-413. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681810802433929
Hirst, J. (2004). Researching young people's sexuality and learning about sex: experience, need, and sex and relationship education. Culture, health and sexuality, 6 (2), 115-129. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691050310001600969
Rosie, A., Bufton, S., & Hirst, J. (2001). Sociology as a moral discourse: a case study of social theory teaching. British journal of sociology of education, 22 (2), 217-226. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425690120054849
Rosie, A., Bufton, S., & Hirst, J. (2001). Sociology as a moral discourse: A case study of social theory teaching. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 22 (2), 217-226. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425690124925
Publications
Journal articles
Phillips, R., Hirst, J., Winterbotham, T., & Tucker, H. (2023). Relationships and sex education for the postsecular classroom. Sex Education. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2023.2263858
Pickles, J., Hirst, J., Froggatt, C., & Kenny, M. (2023). Perceptions of Young Women Who Engage in Anal Sex: A Sociological Inquiry. Journal of Positive Sexuality, 9 (1), 14-21. http://doi.org/10.51681/1.913
Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2023). “Crying on the bus”: first time fathers’ experiences of distress 2 on their return to work. Healthcare, 11 (9). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091352
Hirst, J., Pickles, J., Kenny, M., Beresford, R., & Froggatt, C. (2022). A qualitative exploration of perceptions of anal sex: implications for sex education and sexual health services in England. Culture, Health and Sexuality. http://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2022.2037020
Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2021). The Experiences of First-Time Fathers in Perinatal Services: Present but Invisible. Healthcare, 9 (2), e161. http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9020161
Wood, R., Hirst, J., Wilson, L., & Burns-O'Connell, G. (2019). The pleasure imperative? Reflecting on sexual pleasure’s inclusion in sex education and sexual health. Sex Education, 19 (1), 1-14. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2018.1468318
Shearn, K., Piercy, H., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. (2019). Clarity, conviction and coherence supports buy-in to positive youth sexual health services: focused results from a realist evaluation. BMC Health Services Research, 19, 503. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4298-4
Shearn, K., Allmark, P., Piercy, H., & Hirst, J. (2017). Building realist programme theory for large complex and messy interventions. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16 (1), 1-11. http://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917741796
Hirst, J. (2012). It's got to be about enjoying yourself: young people, sexual pleasure,and sex and relationships education. Sex Education: sexuality, society and learning, 13 (4), 423-436. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2012.747433
Formby, E., Hirst, J., Owen, J., Hayter, M., & Stapleton, H. (2010). 'Selling it as a holistic health provision and not just about condoms ?' Sexual health services in school settings: current models and their relationship with sex and relationships education policy and provision. Sex education, 10 (4), 423-435. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2010.515099
Owen, J., Carroll, C., Cooke, J., Formby, E., Hayter, M., Hirst, J., ... Sutton, A. (2010). School-linked sexual health services for young people (SSHYP): a survey and systematic review concerning current models, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and research opportunities. Health technology assessment, 14 (30). http://doi.org/10.3310/hta14300
Hirst, J. (2008). Developing sexual competence? Exploring strategies for the provision of effective sexualities and relationships education. Sex education, 8 (4), 399-413. http://doi.org/10.1080/14681810802433929
Hirst, J. (2004). Researching young people's sexuality and learning about sex: experience, need, and sex and relationship education. Culture, health and sexuality, 6 (2), 115-129. http://doi.org/10.1080/13691050310001600969
Rosie, A., Bufton, S., & Hirst, J. (2001). Sociology as a moral discourse: a case study of social theory teaching. British journal of sociology of education, 22 (2), 217-226. http://doi.org/10.1080/01425690120054849
Rosie, A., Bufton, S., & Hirst, J. (2001). Sociology as a moral discourse: A case study of social theory teaching. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 22 (2), 217-226. http://doi.org/10.1080/01425690124925
Conference papers
Shearn, K., Piercy, H., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. (2016). Provision of positive sexual health services for young people: a realist evaluation. The Lancet, 388 (Supp2), S105. http://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32341-8
Formby, E., Hirst, J., Owen, J., & Hayter, M. (2011). BARRIERS TO THE DELIVERY OF SCHOOL-LINKED SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE UK: THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIETAL AND SCHOOL VIEWS ON YOUNG PEOPLE'S SEXUAL HEALTH. JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, 8, 146.
Hirst, J. (2011). A CASE FOR PLEASURE IN SEX AND RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION (SRE) FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, 8, 200.
Book chapters
Hirst, J., Wood, R., & Marshall, D. (2018). ‘Boys think it's just a hairless hole’: Young people’s reflections on binary and heteronormative pedagogies in school based sexualities education. In Sanjakdar, F., & Yip, A. (Eds.) Critical pedagogy, sexuality education, and young people. New York: Peter Lang: http://doi.org/10.3726/b11365
Hirst, J. (2014). Get some rhythm round the clitoris’: addressing sexual pleasure in sexuality education in schools and other youth settings. In Allen, L., Rasmussen, M.L., & Quinlivan, K. (Eds.) The politics of pleasure in sexuality education : pleasure bound. (pp. 35-56). New York: Routledge
Hirst, J. (2014). 'Get some rhythm round the clitoris': addressing sexual pleasure in sexuality education in schools and other youth settings. In Allen, L., Rasmussen, M.L., & Quinlivan, K. (Eds.) The politics of pleasure in sexuality education. (pp. 35-56). Routledge: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/politics-pleasure-sexuality-education-louisa-allen-mary-lou-rasmussen-kathleen-quinlivan/e/10.4324/9780203069141
Hirst, J. (2014). Promoting positive sexualities, relationships and sexual health for young people in educational settings. In Health and Inequality: Applying public health research to policy and practice. (1st). (pp. 52-61). Routledge
Ingham, R., & Hirst, J. (2010). Promoting Sexual Health. In Aggleton, P., Dennison, C., & Warwick, I. (Eds.) Promoting Health and Well-being through Schools. (pp. 112-132). London: Routledge: http://www.routledgeeducation.com/books/Promoting-Health-and-Well-being-through-Schools-isbn9780415493420
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Owen, J. (2010). Pathways to adulthood: reflections from three generations of young mothers and fathers. In Duncan, S., Edwards, R., & Alexander, C. (Eds.) Teenage parenthood: what’s the problem?. (pp. 85-111). London: Tufnell Press: http://www.tufnellpress.co.uk/
Ingham, R., & Hirst, J. (2010). Promoting sexual health. In Promoting Health and Wellbeing through Schools. (pp. 99-118). http://doi.org/10.4324/9780203860090-13
Hirst, J. (2005). Sexuality. In Taylor, G., & Spencer, S. (Eds.) Social identities: multidisciplinary approaches. (pp. 64-90). London: Routledge: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title~db=all~content=t733006992
(n.d.). Promoting Health and Wellbeing through Schools. Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9780203860090
Books
Tod, A., & Hirst, J. (Eds.). (2014). Health and inequality: applying public health research to policy and practice. London: Routledge.
Tod, A., & Hirst, J. (Eds.). (2014). Health and inequality: applying public health research to policy and practice. London: Routledge.
Reports
Hirst, J., Wood, R., & Burns-O'Connell, G. (2017). Initiatives to support the inclusion of pleasure in sexual health and sex education work with young peopleAn impact evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-reports-170001
Hirst, J. (2015). Evaluation of Sexual Health Sheffield's services in community settings : perspectives from young people aged 15-25 years. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University.
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Clague, L. (2010). Leicester city sex and relationships education audit and strategy development.
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Cripps, C. (2010). Evaluation of Time 2 Test pilot.
Formby, E., Burgess-Allen, J., & Hirst, J. (2010). A qualitative exploration of the role of baby clinics in supporting infant feeding in Stockport.
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Willis, B. (2009). Socialising and sexual health: an evaluation of the needs of gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM) in Sheffield. Sheffield: Centre for HIV and Sexual Health. http://www.sexualhealthsheffield.nhs.uk/publications/index.php
Formby, E., & Hirst, J. (2009). Scoping the needs of ‘hard to reach’ groups in Sheffield in relation to HIV and social care. Sheffield Hallam University.
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Clague, L. (2009). Leicester city sex and relationships education post 16 review and gap analysis.
Formby, E., & Hirst, J. (2007). An evaluation of the Forge Centre and Shield: Support services for people in South Yorkshire infected and affected by HIV / AIDS and/or Hepatitis C. Sheffield Hallam University.
Hirst, J., Formby, E., Parr, S., Nixon, J., Hunter, C., & Flint, J.F. (2007). An evaluation of two initiatives to reward young people. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation. http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/rewarding-young-people-pro-social-behaviour
Hirst, J., Formby, E., & Owen, J. (2006). Pathways into parenthood: reflections from three generations of teenage mothers and fathers. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://www.shu.ac.uk/research/ceir/outputs.html#2006
Formby, E., Parr, S., & Hirst, J. (2005). Promoting Young People’s Positive Contribution to Their Communities: Evaluating a Rewards Scheme - Interim Evaluation Report. Sheffield Hallam University.
Formby, E., Hirst, J., & Burns, D. (2003). Evaluation of Sheffield Sure Start Plus 2002-2003. Sheffield Hallam University.
Theses / Dissertations
Bhanbhro, S. (2021). Uncovering community notions of honour and their relation to honour killings. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Barley, R., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00414
Burns-O'Connell, G. (2018). Catholic parents' perceptions of young people's learning about sex and relationships. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hirst, J. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00122
Shearn, K.M. (2018). Delivering positive youth sexual health services: a realist evaluation. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Piercy, H., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00062
Stevens, G.N. (2005). Identity change and mature learners in higher education. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Ashworth, P., & Hirst, J.
Hirst, J. (2001). Identity, discourse and practice : a qualitative case study of young people and their sexuality. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Rosie, A.
Presentations
Formby, E., Owen, J., & Hirst, J. (2009). Expanding sexual health services for young people in school in the UK: Current service models, links with sex and relationships education, and evidence about effectiveness. Presented at: IVth Biennial international sex and relationships education conference, Birmingham
Formby, E., & Hirst, J. (2007). Unequal citizenship? Reflections from three generations of young mothers and fathers. Presented at: European Sociological Association biennial conference, Glasgow
Formby, E., & Hirst, J. (2006). Pathways into parenthood: A three generation study of young parenting. Presented at: Sharing evidence, policy and practice on teen sexuality, pregnancy and parenting
Posters
Shearn, K., Piercy, H., Allmark, P., & Hirst, J. (2018). Interpretations of 'positive' approaches to youth sexual health services: concept defining as one phase of a realist evaluation.
Other activities
International Editorial Board Member for Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning
Peer reviewer for: research applications to various funding bodies e.g. ESRC, MRC
Peer reviewer for book proposals and reviewer of books for Routledge, Sage, Palgrave, Pearson.
Peer reviewer for academic journals:
British Education Research Journal
Qualitative Research
Culture, Health & Sexuality
Critical Public Health
Sex Education: Sexuality, Society and Learning
Men & Masculinities
Health Education Research
Health Education
Physiotherapy
Health Promotion International
WYM (Working with Young Men)
Childhood Studies
Membership of professional bodies
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA)
British Sociological Association (BSA)
British Association of Sex Educators (BASE)
IASSCS (International Assoc. for Study of Sexuality, Culture and Society)
European Sociology Association Sexuality Research Group
Sex Education Forum
International Women's Health Network
UCU
Postgraduate supervision
Ongoing:
Chloe Froggatt, A qualitative study of women's sexuality expression through storytelling.
Chelsea Lee, The place of LGBT issues in the new RSE statutory curriculum
Kendal Stoneystreet, Period poverty & menstrual education
Past doctoral completions:
Suzanne Hodgson, Transitions to Fatherhood: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study, 2021
Sadiq Bhanbhro Uncovering Community Notions of Honour and their Relation to Honour Killings, 2021.
Katie Shearn, A realist analysis of positive sexual health services, Vice Chancellor’s Doctoral Bursary, 2017.
Georgina Burns-O’Connell, SHU, Catholic parents and sexuality and relationships education, 2015.
Graham Stevens, Identity change and mature learners in higher education, 2005.
Denise Malpas, A Qualitative Feminist Analysis of Health and Social Care Services to Illegal Drug Users, 1997.
Graham Stevens, SHU, Identity change and mature learners in Higher Education, PhD.
Denise Malpas, SHU, A Qualitative Feminist Analysis of Health and Social Care Services to Illegal Drug Users, PhD.
Media
Julia is a professor of sociology and has 30 years experience in education, sociology and health. As a teacher and researcher, her work focuses on sexualities, sexual behaviour, HIV, STIs, teenage pregnancy, sexual health and wellbeing and with a focus on young people. Julia has led several evaluations of services and provision in her areas of expertise.