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Julia Hirst

Professor Julia Hirst PhD, BSc Hons, PGCE, SFHEA, FRSA

Professor of Sociology


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 feminist theories of embodiment, sexualities and power.

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) and integrating pleasure into learning about sexualities and relationships; masculinities, sexualities and schooling.

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 the past three RAEs and REF 2014.

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

I lead undergraduate and postgraduate modules on 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.


  • BA Sociology;
  • MRes.


  • Power, Sex and the Body
  • Health (Various);
  • Qualitative Research Methods.

Research

  • Critiquing the place of pleasure in SRE;
  • Evaluating the impact of pleasure resources for sexualities and relationships education.


Publications

Journal articles

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

Membership of professional bodies

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

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

National Addictions Forum

Sex Education Forum: National Children’s Bureau

International Women's Health Network

UCU

Postgraduate supervision

Georgina Burns O'Connell (Catholic parents views on their children's learning about sex education).

Katie Shearn (Realist analysis of positive sexual health services).

Daisy Marshall (Masculinities and schooling).

Suzanne Hodgson (Grounded analysis of new fathers' experiences of becoming, being and doing fatherhood). 

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.

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