Ford Hickson

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Ford Hickson is a Senior Research Fellow with Sigma Research. After working at the Terrence Higgins Trust and Frontliners in the late 1980s, Ford joined Sigma Research in 1990 and has spent the last twenty years researching and describing patterns of sex between men, particularly with reference to HIV transmission. For the past ten years he has led the design of the National Gay Men's Sex Survey. In 1998 he led the development of the national HIV prevention strategy for gay and bisexual men (Making it Count) with CHAPS Partners, subsequently adopted by the Department of Health. He received his doctorate, Authority, HIV and sex between men, in 2008. Ford is also co-author of 18 articles in peer reviewed journals, a book, and numerous monographs and book chapters. He has sat on several HIV and MSM related committees, most recently the Department of Health's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Group (Equality and Human Rights sub-group) and the Office for National Statistics' Sexual Identity Project Expert Research Group.

Recent journal articles

Bonell C, Hickson F, Weatherburn P, Reid D (2010) Methamphetamine use among gay men across the UK. International Journal of Drug Policy, 21(3): 244-246.
Hickson F, Bonell C, Weatherburn P, Reid D (2010) Illicit drug use among men who have sex with men in England and Wales. Addiction Research & Theory, 18(1): 14-22.
Cameron S, Collins A, Hickson F (2009) Metal signals and labour market disadvantage: empirical evidence on visible body piercings and gay men in the UK.Equal Opportunities International, 28(8): 646-659.
Cameron S, Collins A, Drinkwater S, Hickson F, Reid D, Roberts J, Stephens M, Weatherburn p (2009) Surveys and data sources on gay men’s lifestyles and socio-sexual behavior: some key concerns and issues. Sexuality & Culture, 13(3):135–151.
Bailey AC, Roberts J, Weatherburn P, Hickson F, Reid DS, Fisher M, Dean G (2009) Community HIV testing for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM): results of a pilot project and comparison of service users with those testing in Genitourinary Medicine (GUM). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 85: 145-147.
Macdonald N, Elam G, Hickson F, Imrie J, McGarrigle CA, Kenton K, Baster K, Ward H, Gilbart VL, Power RM & Evans BG (2008) Factors associated with HIV seroconversion in gay men at the start of the 21st century. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84(1): 8-13.
Bonell C, Weatherburn P, Rhodes T, Hickson F, Keogh P, Elford J (2008) Addressing gay men’s use of methamphetamine and other substances. Addiction Research & Theory, 16(5): 417-420.
Dodds C, Hammond G, Weatherburn P, Hickson F, Keogh P, Reid D, Henderson L, Jessup K (2008) Homosexually active men’s views on criminal prosecutions for HIV transmission are related to HIV prevention need. AIDS Care, 20(5): 509 - 514.
Elam G, Macdonald N, Hickson F, Imrie J, Power R, McGarrigle C, Fenton K, Gilbart V, Ward H, Evans B (2008) Risky sexual behaviour in context: qualitative results from an investigation into risk factors for seroconversion among gay men who test for HIV. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 84(6): 473-477.

Recent research reports

Hickson F, Owuor J, Weatherburn P, Reid D, Hammond G, Jessup K (2009) Bass Line 2008-09: assessing the sexual HIV prevention needs of African people in England. London, Sigma Research.
Hickson F, Weatherburn P, Reid D, Jessup K, Hammond G (2009) Testing targets: findings from the United Kingdom Gay Men’s Sex Survey 2007. London, Sigma Research.
Dodds C, Hickson F, Weatherburn P, Reid D, Hammond G, Jessup K, Adegbite G (2008) Bass Line 2007: findings from a survey assessing HIV prevention need among African people in England. London, Sigma Research.

Recent talks and presentations

What is Making it Count Four? (workshop). 13^th annual CHAPS Conference (C13), Sheffield, 2^nd - 3^rd March 2010.
Who's Failing, What's Failing: a state-of-the-gay-epidemic address about MSM and HIV prevention. 12^th annual CHAPS Conference (C12), Brighton, 3^rd - 4^th March 2009.