Professor Nathan Hughes (he/him)

BA(Hons), MA, PhD

School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations

Professor of Adolescent Health and Justice

A photo of Nathan Hughes
Profile picture of A photo of Nathan Hughes
nathan.hughes@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6439
The Wave

Full contact details

Professor Nathan Hughes
School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
Sheffield
S10 2AH
Profile

Nathan joined the university Studies in 2017. He was previously senior lecturer in social policy and social work at the University of Birmingham, having completed his PhD at the University of Warwick.

Nathan is also visiting senior fellow at the School of Government of the University of Melbourne, and honorary researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Centre, Melbourne.

Research interests

Nathan’s research is at the interface between social policy, criminology and developmental sciences. It considers the explanations for patterns of offending apparent in emerging understandings of typical and atypical adolescent neuromaturation, and their implications for policy and practice.

His work is uniquely interdisciplinary within his field, drawing on developmental psychopathology and adolescent developmental science to support biosocial modelling of patterns of offending and desistance, and applying this to a critical analysis of criminal justice practices and interventions.

In particular, he focuses on practices and interventions that discriminate against and criminalise young people as a result of neurodevelopmental disability, and those that engage young adult offenders.

Publications

Journal articles

  • Leyland A, Hughes N, Webb C & Bennett M (2025) . International Journal for Population Data Science, 10(4).
  • Lennox C, Smith L, Hefferman-Clarke R, Senior J, Dyer W, Chitsabesan P, Hughes N & Shaw J (2025) . The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology.
  • Leyland A, Webb CJR, Bennett MR & Hughes N (2025) . Children and Youth Services Review, 172, 108243-108243.
  • Linden M, Truesdale M, Leonard RA, Brown M, Marsh L, Todd S, Hughes N & Forbes T (2024) . PLOS ONE, 19(10).
  • Leonard R, Hughes N, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Truesdale M, Todd S & Linden M (2024) . Healthcare, 12(13).
  • Linden MA, Leonard R, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Todd S, Hughes N & Truesdale M (2024) . Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10(1).
  • Linden M, Leonard R, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Todd S, Hughes N & Truesdale M (2023) . BMC Public Health, 23(1).
  • Clasby B, Hughes N, Clasby E & Catroppa C (2023) . NeuroRehabilitation, 52(4), 539-568.
  • Anns F, D’Souza S, MacCormick C, Mirfin-Veitch B, Clasby B, Hughes N, Forster W, Tuisaula E & Bowden N (2023) . Journal of Attention Disorders, 27(12).
  • Linden MA, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Truesdale M, McCann E, Todd S & Hughes N (2022) . BMC Public Health, 22(1).
  • Turner K & Hughes N (2022) . Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 32(3), 175-196.
  • Bowden N, Milne B, Audas R, Clasby B, Dacombe J, Forster W, Kokaua J, Gibb S, Hughes N, MacCormick C , Smiler K et al (2022) . Autism, 26(7), 1783-1794.
  • Ryan NP, Catroppa C, Hughes N, Painter FL, Hearps S, Beauchamp MH & Anderson VA (2021) . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 62(9), 1150-1161.
  • Kirby A, Williams WH, Clasby B, Hughes N & Cleaton MAM (2021) . International Journal of Prisoner Health, 17(4), 425-438.
  • Haines K, Case S, Smith R, Joe Laidler K, Hughes N, Webster C, Goddard T, Deakin J, Johns D, Richards K & Gray P (2021) . Youth Justice, 21(3), 275-298.
  • Clasby B, Bennett M, Hughes N, Hodges E, Meadham H, Hinder D, Williams H & Mewse A (2020) . Disability and Rehabilitation, 42(17), 2412-2421.
  • Chandan JS, Hughes N, Thomas T, Nirantharakumar K, Bandyopadhyay S & Taylor J (2020) . Child Abuse Review, 29(2), 144-158.
  • Hughes N, Sheahan F, Williams WH & Chitsabesan P (2020) . The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(2), 163-166.
  • Borschmann R, Janca E, Carter A, Willoughby M, Hughes N, Snow K, Stockings E, Hill NTM, Hocking J, Love A , Patton GC et al (2020) . The Lancet Public Health, 5(2), e114-e126.
  • Hughes N, Ungar M, Fagan A, Murray J, Atilola O, Nichols K, Garcia J & Kinner S (2020) . The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(2), 151-162.
  • Young JT & Hughes N (2020) . The Lancet Public Health, 5(1), e4-e5.
  • Kinner SA, Hughes N, Borschmann R, Southalan L, Clasby B, Janca E, Willoughby M & Williams H (2020) . The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 6-7.
  • Williams WH, Chitsabesan P, Fazel S, McMillan T, Hughes N, Parsonage M & Tonks J (2018) . Lancet Psychiatry, 5(10), 836-844.
  • Clasby B, Hughes N, Catroppa C & Morrison E (2018) . NeuroRehabilitation, 42(3), 345-363.
  • Hughes N, Chitsabesan P, Bryan K, Borschmann R, Swain N, Lennox C & Shaw J (2017) . Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(10), 1106-1113.
  • Hughes N & Strong G (2016) . Probation Journal, 63(4), 452-459.
  • Hughes N, Clasby B, Chitsabesan P & Williams H (2016) . Cogent Psychology, 3(1), 1214213-1214213.
  • Hughes N, Sciberras E & Goldfeld S (2016) . PLoS ONE, 11(7).
  • Hughes N, Williams WH, Chitsabesan P, Walesby RC, Mounce LTA & Clasby B (2015) . Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 30(2), 94-105.
  • Hughes N (2015) . Criminal Justice Studies, 28(1), 39-60.
  • Ryan NP, Hughes N, Godfrey C, Rosema S, Catroppa C & Anderson VA (2015) . Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 30(2), 75-85.
  • Hughes N, Wainwright S & Cresswell C (2012) . Learning and Teaching, 5(2), 27-48.
  • Hek R, Hughes N & Ozman R (2012) . Child Abuse Review, 21(5), 335-348.
  • Hughes N (2011) . Critical Social Policy, 31(3), 388-409.
  • Farrow K, Hughes N, Paris A & Prior D (2010) New occupations in community justice: Inventing the professional curriculum for community safety and anti social behaviour officers. British Journal of Community Justice, 8(2), 17-30.
  • Clarke H & Hughes N (2010) . Social Policy and Society, 9(4), 527-531.
  • Hughes N (2010) . Social Policy and Society, 9(4), 545-555.
  • Galvani S & Hughes N (2010) . British Journal of Social Work, 40(3), 946-962.
  • Hughes N & Beirens H (2007) . Children & Society, 21(4), 261-272.
  • Beirens H, Hughes N, Hek R & Spicer N (2007) . Social Policy and Society, 6(2), 219-229.
  • Blackburn C, Read J & Hughes N (2005) . Health and Social Care in the Community, 13(3), 201-210.
  • Hearnshaw H, Hopkins J, Hughes N & Dale J (2004) A model of effective distributed delivery to healthcare professionals of education in diabetes care. Education for Primary Care, 15(4), 596-605.
  • Dale J, Jatsch W, Hughes N, Pearce A & Meystre C (2004) . BJU International, 94(1), 63-69.
  • Pryce G, Aleinzi M, Sharkey P & Hughes N () Spatial Networks of Neighborhood Violence. Journal of Quantitative Criminology.
  • Linden MA, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Truesdale M, McCann E, Todd S & Hughes N () . BMC Public Health, 22(1).
  • Hughes N & Munoz-Guzman C () . Social Sciences, 4(4), 1335-1339.

Book chapters

  • Chitsabesan P, Hughes N & Williams H (2023) Overview of Young People with Neurodevelopmental Impairments in Contact with the Youth Justice System, FORENSIC ASPECTS OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS (pp. 71-83).
  • Williams H, Schrieff L, Hughes N, Tonks J, Chitsabesan P & Kent H (2021) Neurodisability and trauma in children and young people in contact with the law, Neurodisability and the Criminal Justice System Comparative and Therapeutic Responses (pp. 91-109).
  • Sheahan F, Hughes N, Williams H & Chitsabesan P (2021) Dismantling barriers to justice for children affected by neurodisability, Neurodisability and the Criminal Justice System Comparative and Therapeutic Responses (pp. 72-90).
  • Hughes N, Williams H & Chitsabesan P (2017) The Influence of Neurodevelopmental Impairment on Youth Crime, FORENSIC CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH: MEETING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG OFFENDERS (pp. 68-81).
  • Chitsabesan P & Hughes N (2016) , Mental Health, Crime and Criminal Justice (pp. 109-130). Palgrave Macmillan UK
  • Morris K & Hughes N (2016) Families in transition: Family minded policy and practice: A critical analysis of contemporary approaches to vulnerable families, Global Social Transformation and Social Action the Role of Social Workers Social Work Social Development Volume III (pp. 128-131).
  • Morris K & Hughes N (2014) Family minded policy and practice: A critical analysis of contemporary approaches to vulnerable families, Global Social Transformation and Social Action the Role of Social Workers Social Work Social Development Volume III (pp. 128-131).
  • Hughes N (2009) , Subversive citizens (pp. 155-170). Policy Press
  • Hughes N & Prior D (2008) Delivering youth justice through partnership working, Social Work and Multi Agency Working Making A Difference (pp. 9-27).

Conference proceedings

  • Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Truesdale M, McCann E, Todd S, Hughes N & Linden M (2022) . SSM Annual Scientific Meeting (pp A65.1-A65)
  • Costello G, Bennett E, Hayward C, Turan L, Sill P, Hughes N, Morley E & Blakeborough L (2022) Returning to Education Post- Acquired Brain Injury: Time for Change in the United Kingdom. JOURNAL OF HEAD TRAUMA REHABILITATION, Vol. 37(6) (pp E577-E577)
  • Hughes N, Williams H & Chitsabesan P (2016) A systematic review of the prevalence of traumatic brain injury among young offenders in custody. BRAIN INJURY, Vol. 30(5-6) (pp 652-653)
  • Ryan N, Hughes N, Godfrey C, Catroppa C & Anderson V (2016) Factors predicting externalizing behaviour among young adults who experienced paediatric traumatic brain injury. BRAIN INJURY, Vol. 30(5-6) (pp 650-650)
  • Borschmann R, Janca E, Willoughby M, Hughes N, Patton G, Sawyer S, Love A, Puljevic C, Stockings E, Hill N , Hocking J et al () . International Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 20(3) (pp 14-14)

Preprints

  • Linden M, Leonard R, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Todd S, Hughes N & Truesdale M (2023) , Research Square Platform LLC.
  • Linden M, Forbes T, Brown M, Marsh L, Truesdale M, McCann E, Todd S & Hughes N (2022) , Research Square Platform LLC.
Research group

Nathan supervises PhDs in issues related to youth and young adults, crime and criminalisation, and childhood neurodevelopmental disability.

Grants

2015-17, Funded by: College of Policing, Police Knowledge Fund

Examining the use of indicators of adverse childhood experiences to support police engagement.

2013-16, Funded by: Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship, European Commission FP7 Framework

This fellowship supported two years based at the Centre for Adolescent Health and the Australian Centre for Child Neuropsychology Studies at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and the School of Government at the University of Melbourne. Specific projects included:

  • Analysis of a 21-year longitudinal study of children admitted to hospital as a result of traumatic brain injury, examining behavioural trajectories into young adulthood.
  • Analysis of an annual census of health, well-being and behaviour of over 50,000 students starting school in Victoria, examining risk factors for comorbid communication and emotional or behavioural problems in the early years, and utilizing data linkage to understand impact on educational attainment.
  • Qualitative research with community criminal justice service providers regarding understandings of and responses to traumatic brain injury.
  • Systematic reviews regarding the prevalence of traumatic brain injury among young people in custody, and the effectiveness of school-based and community-based interventions following pediatric traumatic brain injury.

2010-14, Funded by: International Research Staff Exchange Scheme, European Commission FP7 Framework

Understanding and Supporting Families with Complex Needs: a comparative study of family-minded policy and practice in social work, health and education in Europe and Latin America .

2012, Funded by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England

Prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders amongst young people in custody.

2011, Funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust

Maturity and offending amongst young adults.

2009, Funded by Leverhulme Study Abroad Fellowship

Comparing anti-social behaviour policy in the UK, Western Australia and Victoria.

2007-8, Funded by the Ministry of Justice

Access to justice for vulnerable groups.

Links

Study for a PhD in Sociology