Professor Paul G A Hickman BSc (Hons); MPhil. cantab; PhD
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Lead, Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics
Summary
Paul is Professor of Housing and Social Policy within the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics (PSP). Paul has expertise in: tenancy sustainment in social housing; tenant participation in the social and private rented sectors; tenancy sustainment in social housing; the impact of welfare reforms, including Universal Credit, on both landlords and tenants; Housing Benefit; and, 'resilience' to economic hardship. Paul has led studies for a range of funders including: the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Office for the First Minister and Deputy Minister; the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Wakefield and District Housing; and, Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Paul is currently leading the ‘Holding on to home: tenancy sustainment in social housing’ study, which is funded by the Nuffield Foundation. Paul has been a Co-Investigator of the ESRC/ AHRC/ Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded, the Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (‘CaCHE’). He is the Departmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Lead for PSP and Co-Director of the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies. He was chair of the learned society, the Housing Studies Association, for four years.
About
Paul is Professor of Housing and Social Policy within the Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics (PSP), where he moved to from the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (CRESR) in 2015. He has conducted research on a range of subjects including: tenancy sustainment in social housing; tenant participation in the social and private rented sectors; tenancy sustainment in social housing; the impact of welfare reforms, including Universal Credit, on both landlords and tenants; Housing Benefit; housing improvement and regeneration; residential (im)mobility; housing policy and practice in France; 'resilience' to economic hardship; and, social interaction in ‘third places’.
Paul has managed major research projects for a number of funders including: the Joseph Rowntree Foundation; the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Office for the First Minister and Deputy First Minister; the Northern Ireland Housing Executive; Leeds City Council; Carlisle City Council; Stoke-on-Trent City Council; Wakefield and District Housing; Hyde Housing Group; Gateway Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder; Bridging Newcastle/Gateshead Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder; the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership; the British Council; the British Academy; and the French Government Ministries, Plan Urbanisme Construction Architecture and Délégation Interministérielle à La Ville. Paul is currently leading the ‘Holding on to home: tenancy sustainment in social housing’ study, which is funded by the Nuffield Foundation
Paul has been a Co-investigator in the ESRC/ AHRC/ Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (‘CaCHE’), and has published reports on tenant participation and the impact on welfare reforms on housing associations as part of his work for CaCHE (see Publications).
Paul is the author of more than 20 academic outputs and 60 research reports. He was Chair of the learned society, the Housing Studies Association, for four years. Paul is the Departmental Lead for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in PSP. He is also the Co-Director of the Sheffield Institute for Policy Studies.
Teaching
Sheffield Institute of Social Sciences
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Paul contributes to teaching in the disciplines of Sociology & Politics.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
I am currently involved in two studies:
• I am leading a Nuffield Foundation funded study: ‘Holding on to Home: Tenancy sustainment in social housing’. The study is paying particular attention to identifying the causes of rent arrears, as this is the main reason why tenancies fail. This is an under-researched issue, which is problematic because tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their rent, as new drivers of rents arrears emerge, and existing ones ‘play-out’, differently. This is because the context within which tenants pay their rent has changed significantly in recent years and, critically, is continuing to change. Key developments include: the continued roll-out of the welfare reform, Universal Credit, and the impact of other reforms ‘biting’; the COVID-19 pandemic and the lifting of temporary measures designed to mitigate its impact (furlough, the Universal Credit payment uplift, and the suspension on evictions); and, the cost of living crisis. By exploring the behaviours of tenants and landlords, the research will provide evidence and guidance which will improve landlords’ tenancy sustainment policies and practices, making it easier for tenants to pay their rent and fewer tenancies failing. The research is multi-disciplinary and mixed methods, employing a range of quantitative and qualitative research instruments. Data collection is taking place in four case study landlords in England. A Tenant Steering Group is overseeing all aspects of the research, and the study is also being guided by a Policy and Practice Advisory Group. The Holding on to Home study is a collaboration between Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, where the core research team are based, Qa Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, the Chartered Institute of Housing, HQN (Housing Quality Network), and Andrew Burdett Design.
• Behavioural Insights Project Round Two: Testing what works to increase the reach and uptake of family hub services by disadvantaged and vulnerable families, which is being funded by the Department for Education.
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Nuffield Foundation
Department for Education
Publications
Journal articles
Hickman, P. (2021). . Housing Studies, 36 (2), 235-257.
Preece, J., Hickman, P., & Pattison, B. (2019). . Housing Studies.
Hickman, P. (2017). . Social Policy and Society, 1-16.
Hickman, P., Kemp, P.A., Reeve, K., & Wilson, I. (2017). . Housing Studies, 32 (8), 1105-1126.
Hickman, P. (2013). . Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 28 (2), 221-236.
Hickman, P. (2013). . Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, 6 (3), 293-308.
Hall, S., & Hickman, P. (2011). . Housing Studies, 26 (6), 827-843.
Goodchild, B., Jeannot, G., & Hickman, P. (2010). . Urban Studies, 47 (12), 2555-2572.
Jeannot, G., Goodchild, B., & Hickman, P. (2008). . Annales de la recherche urbaine, 104, 100-109.
Hickman, P. (2006). . Housing studies, 21 (2), 209-225.
Hickman, P., & Robinson, D. (2006). Transforming Social Housing: Taking Stock of New Complexities. Housing Studies, 21 (2), 157-170.
Goodchild, B., & Hickman, P. (2006). Towards a regional strategy for the North of England? An assessment of ‘The Northern Way’. Regional Studies, 40 (1), 121-133.
Ewald, G., Hickman, J.B., Hickman, P., & Myers, F. (2005). Physics First: The Right-Side-Up Science Sequence. The Physics Teacher, 43 (5), 319-320.
Hall, S., & Hickman, P. (2005). . European journal of housing policy, 5 (1), 19-39.
Hickman, P., & Manning, J. (2004). Voluntary action: the journal for the institute of voluntary research, 7 (1), 43-59.
Reid, B., & Hickman, P. (2002). . Housing studies, 17 (6), 895-918.
Goodchild, B.J., Hickman, P.G., & Robinson, D. (2002). . Town planning review, 73 (4), 373-393.
Hall, S., & Hickman, P. (2002). Neighbourhood Renewal and Urban Policy: A Comparison of New Approaches in England and France. Regional Studies, 36 (6), 691-696.
Reports
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Thomas, P., Kilby, L., Lamb, M., ... Prestwich, J. (2025). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Thomas, P., Kilby, L., Lamb, M., ... Prestwich, J. (2025). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Thomas, P., Kilby, L., Lamb, M., ... Prestwich, J. (2025). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Thomas, P., Kilby, L., Lamb, M., ... Prestwich, J. (2025). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Bimpson, E., Lamb, M., Manzi, T., & Speake, B. (2023). . Nuffield Foundation. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/engaging-with-tenants-to-sustain-their-tenancies
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Bimpson, E., Lamb, M., Manzi, T., & Speake, A. (2023). . Nuffield Foundation. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/engaging-with-tenants-to-sustain-their-tenancies-summary
Hickman, P., & Joe, F. (2021). . UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence.
Hickman, P., & Jenny, P. (2019). . UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence.
Hickman, P., Pattison, B., & Preece, J. (2018). . UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-impact-of-welfare-reforms-on-housing-associations
Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Quinn, G. (2016). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/assessment-of-the-need-for-furniture-provision-for-new-nihe-tenants
Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . Sheffield: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/tenancy-sustainment-amongst-those-aged-under-35-final-report
Ambrose, A., Eadson, W., Hickman, P., & Mccarthy, L. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/tenancy-sustainment-amongst-those-aged-under-35-executive-summary
Dayson, C., Hickman, P., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Bennett, E., & Muir, J. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-the-economic-contribution-of-the-social-economy-at-a-neighbourhood-level-final-report
Hickman, P., Dayson, C., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Flint, J., ... Muir, J. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/summary-of-key-findings
Hickman, P., Dayson, C., Batty, E., & Muir, J. (2015). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Batty, E., Muir, J., Hickman, P., & Dayson, C. (2015). Understanding higher levels of volunteering: the case of Short Strand and Sion Mills - Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Paper No. 2. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-higher-levels-of-volunteering-the-case-of-short-strand-and-sion-mills
Hickman, P., Batty, E., Dayson, C., Flint, J., Foden, M., Muir, J., ... Green, S. (2015). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/getting-by-coping-and-resilience-in-difficult-times-final-report
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Kemp, P., Wilson, I., Green, S., & Dayson, C. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-18-month-stage-reports
Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Hickman, P., & Dayson, C. (2014). . London: Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-key-findings-of-the-18-months-rent-account-analysis-exercise
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Kemp, P., Wilson, I., & Green, S. (2014). . London: Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-key-findings-of-the-programme-evaluation
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Green, S., & Kemp, P. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-rent-underpayment
Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Hickman, P., & Dayson, C. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-key-findings-of-the-12-months-rent-account-analysis-exercise
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., & Green, S. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payment-demonstration-projects-12-months-in-extended-learning-report
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Green, S., Dayson, C., & Kemp, P. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions.
Hickman, P., Reeve, K., Wilson, I., Green, S., Dayson, C., & Kemp, P. (2014). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/dwp-research-summary---direct-payment-demonstration-projects-12-month-stage-reports
Hickman, P., Batty, E., Dayson, C., & Muir, J. (2014). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/getting-by-coping-and-resilience-in-difficult-times-initial-findings---summary
Hickman, P., Batty, E., Dayson, C., & Muir, J. (2014). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/getting-by-coping-and-resilience-in-difficult-times-initial-findings
Hickman, P., Flint, J.F., Muir, J., & Dayson, C. (2013). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/recession-resilience-and-rebalancing-social-economies-in-northern-irelands-neighbourhoods
Hickman, P., & Reeve, K. (2013). . Department for Work and Pensions. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/direct-payments-demonstration-projects-learning-the-lessons-six-months-in---research-summary
Wells, P., Hickman, P., Dayson, C., Walshaw, A., Batty, E., Gore, T., ... O'Toole, C. (2012). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/village-sos-project-evaluation
Hickman, P., Walshaw, A., Gore, T., Ferrari, E., & Wilson, I. (2011). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-houses-all-look-posh-now---evaluating-the-impact-of-a-housing-improvement-programme
Hickman, P., Walshaw, A., Gore, A., Ferrari, E., & Wilson, I. (2011). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-houses-all-look-posh-now---key-findings-and-policy-messages
Bashir, N., Batty, E., Cole, I., Crisp, R., Flint, J., Green, S., ... Robinson, D. (2011). . Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/living-through-change-in-challenging-neighbourhoods-thematic-analysis
Green, S., & Hickman, P. (2010). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/residents-stories-from-six-challenging-neighbourhoods
Green, S., Hickman, P., Foden, M., & Powell, R. (2010). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/an-evaluation-of-the-north-staffordshire-landlord-accreditation-scheme
Hickman, P., Sprigings, N., McCoulough, E., & Cole, I. (2008). . Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-private-rented-sector-in-west-yorkshire-final-report
Green, S., Hickman, P., Hunter, C., & Whittle, S. (2007). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/bridging-newcastlegateshead-private-landlord-survey
Hickman, P., Robinson, D., Casey, R., Green, S., & Powell, R. (2007). . the Chartered Institute of Housing/Joseph Rowntree Foundation. /centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-housing-demand-learning-from-rising-markets-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber
Theses / Dissertations
Archer, B. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Heap, V., Dickinson, J., & Hickman, P.
Negus, S.C. (2021). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P.
McHugh, R. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P.
Preece, J. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P., & Crisp, R.
Bright, J.B. (2010). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P., & Hall, S.
Hamm, P. (2009). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Flint, J.F., & Hickman, P.
Albanese, F.C. (2007). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P., & Cole, I.
Ambrose, A. (n.d.). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hickman, P., Goodchild, B., & Macaskill, A.
Postgraduate supervision
Paul has supervised nine students to the successful completion of their doctoral studies and is currently supervising four students.
Media
Built environment, Economics, Regeneration, Social affairs, Society, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ