Niall Hamilton-Smith

Niall Hamilton-Smith is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology at the University of Stirling. He serves as the Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching and Programme Director of the MSc Criminology. He is an Associate Director of the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research and an associate of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.

His research focuses on policing strategies, organized crime, community safety, sectarianism in Scottish contexts, risk management in sporting events, and climate change transitions. Prior to Stirling, he contributed to the Home Office’s Crime Reduction Programme and Organised Crime Research Programme.

He currently supervises doctoral students across his research areas and welcomes PhD applications in these fields. His completed doctoral supervisees include Dr Richard Kjellgren, Dr Osasere Igbinomwanhia, and others, whose work spans topics like human trafficking, sentencing practices, and community safety governance.

Dr Hamilton-Smith is affiliated with research centres such as the Crime & Justice group and has collaborated on projects addressing global issues like human trafficking and environmental justice.