Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith

Associate Professor

Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology Colin Bell Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith

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About me

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.  

Research (7)

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

Projects

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

Emerging Technologies in Policing
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Institute for Policing Research

Community experiences of serious organised crime in Scotland
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith

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

Community Impact of Marches and Parades
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Government

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)

Evaluation of Football Banning Orders in Scotland
PI: Dr Niall Hamilton-Smith
Funded by: Scottish Government

Outputs (31)

Outputs

Conference Paper (unpublished)

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

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

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/


Research Report

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/


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

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

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


Research Report

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

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

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.


Research Report

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/


Book Chapter

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/


Teaching

Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching

Research centres/groups