Simon Hackett

Professor Simon Hackett is a faculty member at Durham University in the Department of Sociology within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health. His research focuses on child maltreatment, harmful sexual behaviors, and safeguarding children. He has supervised over 20 PhD students and chairs Durham University's Safeguarding Operations Group.

• Key affiliations include ATSA (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers) and NOTA (National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers).
• He serves as Expert Adviser for the NICE Centre for Guidelines and has contributed to national and international policy on child protection.

Research Interests: His work spans child welfare, safeguarding, and forensic responses to harmful sexual behaviors. Recent studies include long-term outcomes of children with such behaviors and community reactions to young offenders.

Recent Publications (2025-2015) analyze participation in child protection, gender-specific abuse dynamics, and technological impacts on post-adoption contact, with a focus on qualitative methodologies and policy evaluations.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences
• Durham University Excellence in Doctoral Supervision Award

Supervision and Grants: He has supervised PhD students on topics like child neglect, institutional care in Russia, and gender in sexual abuse. Funded projects include evaluations for NSPCC, NICE, and Barnardo’s.