He taught at Matlock College of Education. During this teaching stint, he received a master's degree and doctorate from
Leicester University, finishing his studies in 1971. Hey's doctoral adviser was
W. G. Hoskins. Four years later, he left a research fellowship at Leicester to join the faculty of
Sheffield University. In 1992 he became a chair professor and, in 1994, the dean of extramural studies. Hey was president of the
British Association for Local History and the British Agricultural History Society, and led the
British Record Society as council chair. ==Personal life==