Hirshman was honored for his many contributions to fusion energy research. He is currently leader of the Advanced Stellarator Group within the Fusion Energy Division's theory group.
Hirshman and his wife, Alessandra May, live in Oak Ridge and have three adult children - Peter, Angela and Veronica. They have three granddaughters. Hirshman and his wife are clarinetists in the choir at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oak Ridge.