Associate Professor
Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Niall Hamilton-Smith is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching and the Programme Director of the MSc Criminology. He is an Associate Director of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research ( http://www.sccjr.ac.uk/ ) and an associate of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.
Prior to Stirling, Niall worked as a researcher in government, working both on the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme and on the Organised Crime Research Programme.
My research interests include: Policing and Organised Crime, in particular police intelligence, human trafficking, and community aspects of organised criminality (harm, benefits, awareness, involvement etc.). Community policing, community safety and crime reduction, in particular multi-agency partnership programmes, crime prevention programmes, and associated approaches to evaluation and performance management. Sectarianism (perceived or otherwise) and its association with marches and parades and with Scottish football. Risk management and control strategies associated with sporting events and mega events more generally. Negotiating just transitions when responding to climate change and associated environmental challenges. I currently supervise doctoral students across these research areas and welcome PhD enquiries from applicants with interests in any of these, or related, areas.
Current PhD students
Jordan Philips: Uncovering the myth of the male sex worker
Samet Ayvaz: The policing of identifiable religious communities
Davide Mattarello: Interacting with minority cultures: police issues and solutions
Mary Kent: Identifying criminal intent through social media
Scarlet Roberstson: Community policing and human trafficking in Scotland
Ringmichon Keishing: Understanding human trafficking of women in Manipur, India
Richard Kjellgren: Mapping current networks and identifying patterns of vulnerability and exploitation with the off-street sex market
Recently completed PhD students
Dr Osasere Igbinomwanhia (2021) Human trafficking and poverty in South-South Nigeria
Dr Cecep Mustafa (2020) Judicial Perspectives on the Sentencing of Minor Drug Offenders in Indonesia
Dr Nicola Benbow (2019) Preventing youth crime in Scotland: the practices of early intervention and diversion under "whole system approach" implementation
Dr Catherine Davidones (2017) A Study Looking at the Governance of Community Safety Partnerships in Scotland
Water and Fire: Understanding and reducing risk with 15 “Best Bets” for enhancing capacity for transformative adaptation with vulnerable township residents on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa.
PI: Professor Derek McGhee
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Emerging Technologies in Policing
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Institute for Policing Research
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Community experiences of serious organised crime in Scotland
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
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A Proposal to Conduct Research into the Impact of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Government
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Community Impact of Marches and Parades
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Government
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The governance of Security and the Analysis of Risk for Sporting Mega-Events: creating a living legacy for Europe from an analysis of security planning for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games (G2014)
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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Evaluation of Football Banning Orders in Scotland
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Government
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Conference Paper (unpublished)
Embracing Emerging Technologies in Policing: Key Considerations
Connon I, Egan M, Hamilton-Smith N, Mackay N, Miranda D & Webster CW (2024) Embracing Emerging Technologies in Policing: Key Considerations. AI and Surveillance in Policing and Law and Order: Opportunities, Threats, Perspectives and Cases, Gothenburg, Sweden, 16.10.2024-18.10.2024.
Article
Living the life of floods: place-based learning in an Anthropocene harmscape
Dickie J, Wilson A, Dick L, Ncube S, Abrams A, Black G, Blair N, Carden K, Hamilton-Smith N, Lamb G, Mpofu-Mketwa T, Petersen L & Robertson G (2023) Living the life of floods: place-based learning in an Anthropocene harmscape. Geoforum, 147, Art. No.: 103914. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2023.103914
Article
Ncube S, Wilson A, Petersen L, Black G, Abrams A, Carden K, Dick L, Dickie J, Gibson L, Hamilton-Smith N, Ireland A, Lamb G, Mpofu-Mketwa T, Piper L & Swanson D (2023) Understanding resilience capitals, agency and habitus in household experiences of water scarcity, floods and fire in marginalized settlements in the Cape Flats, South Africa. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 8 (1), Art. No.: 100710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100710
Research Report
Highland Custody Link Worker Project – Independent Support for Evaluation
Graham H, Hamilton-Smith N & Kjellgren R (2023) Highland Custody Link Worker Project – Independent Support for Evaluation. Highland Third Sector Interface. Stirling.
Research Report
Review of emerging technologies in policing: findings and recommendations
Connon I, Egan M, Hamilton-Smith N, MacKay N, Miranda D & Webster W (2023) Review of emerging technologies in policing: findings and recommendations. Scottish Institute for Policing Research. Edinburgh. https://www.gov.scot/publications/review-emerging-technologies-policing-findings-recommendations/
Article
Hamilton-Smith N, McBride M & Atkinson C (2021) Lights, camera, provocation? Exploring experiences of surveillance in the policing of Scottish football. Policing and Society, 31 (2), pp. 179-194. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2019.1696800
Addendum
Clark A, Fraser A & Hamilton-Smith N (2021) Correction to: Networked territorialism: the routes and roots of organised crime (Trends in Organized Crime, (2020), 10.1007/s12117-020-09393-9). Trends in Organized Crime, 24 (2), pp. 263-264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-021-09405-2
Article
Networked territorialism: the routes and roots of organised crime
Clark A, Fraser A & Hamilton-Smith N (2021) Networked territorialism: the routes and roots of organised crime. Trends in Organized Crime, 24 (2), pp. 246-262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-020-09393-9
Article
Mustafa C, Malloch M & Hamilton Smith N (2020) Judicial perspectives on the sentencing of minor drug offenders in Indonesia: discretionary practice and compassionate approaches. Crime, Law and Social Change, 74 (3), p. 297–313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10611-020-09896-0
Article
Atkinson C & Hamilton-Smith N (2020) Still an 'invisible crime'? Exploring developments in the awareness and control of human trafficking in Scotland. European Journal of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370820931868
Newspaper / Magazine
How organised crime affects the most vulnerable communities
Hamilton-Smith N (2018) How organised crime affects the most vulnerable communities. The Conversation. 13.06.2018.
Research Report
Community Experiences of Serious Organised Crime in Scotland
Fraser A, Hamilton-Smith N, Clark A, Atkinson C, Graham W, McBride M, Doyle M & Hobbs D (2018) Community Experiences of Serious Organised Crime in Scotland. Scottish Government. Social Research Series. Edinburgh. https://www.gov.scot/publications/community-experiences-serious-organised-crime-scotland/
Newspaper / Magazine
War on drugs is unwinnable, but locking up Mr Bigs is still worth it
Hamilton-Smith N (2018) War on drugs is unwinnable, but locking up Mr Bigs is still worth it. The Conversation. 26.01.2018. https://theconversation.com/war-on-drugs-is-unwinnable-but-locking-up-mr-bigs-is-still-worth-it-90649
Research Report
Atkinson C, Mackenzie S & Hamilton-Smith N (2017) The Effectiveness of Asset-Focussed Interventions against Organised Crime: Protocol for a Systematic Review. Economic and Social Research Council. What Works: Crime Reduction Systematic Review Series. Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Systematic_Review_Series/Pages/Organised-crime.aspx
Research Report
A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Asset-Focussed Interventions against Organised Crime
Atkinson C, Mackenzie S & Hamilton-Smith N (2017) A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Asset-Focussed Interventions against Organised Crime. Economic and Social Research Council. What Works: Crime Reduction Systematic Review Series, 9. Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. http://whatworks.college.police.uk/Research/Systematic_Review_Series/Pages/Organised-crime.aspx
Book Chapter
Organised crime in Scotland and the Criminal Justice Response
Cavanagh B, Hamilton-Smith N & Mackenzie S (2016) Organised crime in Scotland and the Criminal Justice Response. In: Croall H, Mooney G & Munro M (eds.) Crime, Justice and Society in Scotland. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, pp. 115-130. https://www.routledge.com/Crime-Justice-and-Society-in-Scotland/Croall-Mooney-Munro/p/book/9780415750301
Article
Public Processions and Social Context: Challenges in the Search for Community Impact
Hamilton-Smith N, Malloch M & Ashe S (2015) Public Processions and Social Context: Challenges in the Search for Community Impact. Scottish Affairs, 24 (3), pp. 308-327. https://doi.org/10.3366/scot.2015.0080
Research Report
Hamilton-Smith N, Anderson S, Simpson I, McArdle D, McBride M, Goodall K, Haynes R, Jago N & Crawford J (2015) An evaluation of section 1 of the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act 2012. Scottish Government. Social Research Series. Scottish Government. http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0047/00479049.pdf
Research Report
Community Impact of Public Processions
Hamilton-Smith N, Malloch M, Ashe S, Rutherford AC & Bradford B (2015) Community Impact of Public Processions. Scottish Government. Social Research series: Crime and Justice. Scottish Government Social Research. http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/02/3769/downloads
Book Chapter
Football Banning Orders: The Highly Effective Cornerstone of a Preventative Strategy?
Hopkins M & Hamilton-Smith N (2014) Football Banning Orders: The Highly Effective Cornerstone of a Preventative Strategy?. In: Hopkins M & Treadwell J (eds.) Football Hooliganism, Fan Behaviour and Crime. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 222-247. http://www.palgrave.com/la/book/9781137347961; https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137347978_11
Article
Community policing and reassurance: Three studies, one narrative
Hamilton-Smith N, Mackenzie S, Henry A & Davidones C (2014) Community policing and reassurance: Three studies, one narrative. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 14 (2), pp. 160-178. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895813483762
Article
Hamilton-Smith N & Hopkins M (2013) The transfer of English legislation to the Scottish context: Lessons from the implementation of the Football Banning Order in Scotland. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 13 (3), pp. 279-297. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895812447083
Book Chapter
England's Act, Scotland's Shame and the Limits of the Law
Hamilton-Smith N & McArdle D (2013) England's Act, Scotland's Shame and the Limits of the Law. In: Flint J & Kelly J (eds.) Bigotry, Football and Scotland. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp. 130-144. https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-bigotry-football-and-scotland.html
Research Report
Care and Support for Adult Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Review
Malloch M, Warden T & Hamilton-Smith N (2012) Care and Support for Adult Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings: A Review. Scottish Government. Social Research series. Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research. http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/8429
Research Report
A Report on Child Trafficking and Care Provision: Towards Better Survivor Care
Rigby P, Malloch M & Hamilton-Smith N (2012) A Report on Child Trafficking and Care Provision: Towards Better Survivor Care. Love 146. https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=14225&p=0
Research Report
An Evaluation of Football Banning Orders in Scotland
Hamilton-Smith N, Bradford B, Hopkins M, Kurland J, Lightowler C, McArdle D & Tilley N (2011) An Evaluation of Football Banning Orders in Scotland. Scottish Government. Scottish Government. www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch.
Article
Measuring police impact on organised crime: Performance management and harm reduction
Mackenzie S & Hamilton-Smith N (2011) Measuring police impact on organised crime: Performance management and harm reduction. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management, 34 (1), pp. 7-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639511111106588
Article
The geometry of shadows: a critical review of organised crime risk assessments
Hamilton-Smith N & Mackenzie S (2010) The geometry of shadows: a critical review of organised crime risk assessments. Policing and Society, 20 (3), pp. 257-279. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2010.505287
Research Report
Determining Identity and Nationality in Local Policing
Hamilton-Smith N & Patel S (2010) Determining Identity and Nationality in Local Policing. Home Office. Research Report, 42. Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/horr42/
Research Report
Measuring Police Impact on Organised Crime: a Review of SCDEA's Key Performance Indicators
Armstrong S, Hamilton-Smith N & Mackenzie S (2009) Measuring Police Impact on Organised Crime: a Review of SCDEA's Key Performance Indicators. Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA). Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research.
Book Chapter
The Prevention of Domestic Burglary
Hamilton-Smith N & Kent A (2005) The Prevention of Domestic Burglary. In: Tilley N (ed.) Handbook of Crime Prevention and Community Safety. Cullompton, Devon: Willan Publishing, pp. 417-457. http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9781843921462/
Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching
