HWS News
21 January 2026 • Faculty Perkins Continues National Leadership in Prevention Education
Professor Emeritus of Sociology H. Wesley Perkins delivered invited talks and trainings on the social norms approach across the U.S. in 2025.
In 2025, Professor Emeritus of Sociology H. Wesley Perkins continued his long-standing national leadership in substance misuse prevention and health promotion, delivering invited talks and trainings across the country focused on the social norms approach.
On April 28, Perkins was invited by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports to serve as guest speaker and workshop leader for an all-day training in Albany for community coalition groups engaged in substance misuse prevention statewide. He opened the day with a lecture outlining the foundations of the social norms approach, including its historical development, theoretical framework, comparison with other prevention strategies and evidence of effectiveness. In the afternoon, Perkins led interactive discussions examining real-world interventions across diverse populations and explored how participating coalitions could apply the approach within their own communities.
Perkins also shared his expertise with university students this fall. On Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, he delivered two invited guest lectures titled “The Social Norms Approach to Reducing Risk Behaviors and Promoting Health” for students enrolled in Vanderbilt University’s course “Social Influence and Health: How Social Networks and Social Norms Shape Us and Our Communities.”
On Oct. 21, Perkins was an invited speaker at the annual Utah Principles of Prevention Conference, held this year in St. George, Utah. The statewide event drew more than 200 prevention specialists, health educators and coalition leaders. His presentation, “Changing the Focus: Using a Social Norms Approach to Successfully Reduce Risk Behaviors and Promote Health among Youth & Young Adults,” highlighted practical strategies for applying the approach in prevention work with younger populations.
Most recently, on Dec. 17, Perkins served as guest speaker for a live Q&A webinar on evaluating social norms interventions. The session provided guidance for coalition representatives and local evaluators assessing the impact of social norms projects in secondary schools and other youth settings. The webinar was hosted by ADAPT (A Division for Advancing Prevention & Treatment) within the Center for Drug Policy and Prevention at the University of Baltimore, in partnership with the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Through these invited engagements, Perkins continues to shape prevention practice nationwide by advancing evidence-based strategies that promote healthier behaviors and stronger communities.
Joining the HWS faculty in 1978, Perkins received a B.A. in sociology from Purdue University, a M.Div. degree from Yale University Divinity School and a M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from Yale University. He has received the HWS faculty prize for outstanding scholarship and the faculty prize for outstanding service to the HWS community. Perkins retired from HWS in 2024.
