Personal profile

Biography

Nikki is a mixed methods researcher with expertise in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, who's areas of work focus around health psychology, behavioural and implementation science and public and community health.  

  • Registered Health Psychologist (Health and Care Professions Council - HCPC)
  • Registered Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Full member of the Division of Health Psychology (DHP) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • Certificate holder on the EuroPsy Register

 

Areas of Expertise

Nikki has particular interest in raising the profile and importance of the translation of theory and evidence based research into practice, with particular focus on improving the overall health of individuals.

 

Key areas of interests and expertise include:

  • the design, development, evaluation and analysis of complex multiple health behaviour change interventions
  • service evaluations (NHS, VSCO, government and local authority)
  • teaching and training (undergraduate and postgraduate levels, course development, delivery [face to face and online] and bespoke related adhoc design and delivery to all public and private sector organisations and companies)
  • Systematic reviews and meta-analysis 

 

Nikki thrives on implementing evidence and principles from behavioural science and health psychology across various domains and health conditions including (but not limited to) diabetes prevention and management, dementia, taste and smell disorders, sexual health promotion, teenage pregnancy prevention and falls prevention.  Key behaviours of interest are lifestyle related and include physical activity, healthy eating/nutrition and weight loss/management and control to enhance healthy ageing across the life course.  

 

Nikki offers expertise in teaching and training to support behaviour change in practice, to raise the confidence of workforce individuals and enable them to have successful conversations around lifestyle behaviour change (i.e. healthy eating, physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption, smoking).

 

Nikki has a passion for everyone to gain an understanding of what factors influence behaviour, and strategies that can assist in helping to change lifestyle behaviour.  Particularly, how we can provide support to individuals through the adoption and implementation of Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), particularly self-regulatory strategies (goal setting, action planning, coping planning, problem solving, and self-monitoring) to enable everyone to feel empowered to make thier own positive lifestyle choices.  

 

Academic Background

  • PhD – (University of Exeter Medical School - awarded 2023)
  • Doctorate in Health Psychology (C Psychol) – (British Psychological Society - awarded 2018)
  • MSc in Health Psychology with Distinction (University of Bedfordshire - awarded 2010)
  • BSc Psychology with Clinical (University of Kent - awarded 2006)

 

 

Education/Academic qualification

Doctor of Philosophy, PhD Health Psychology, University of Exeter

Award Date: 14 Jun 2023

Doctor of Health Science, Doctorate in Health Psychology (CPsychol), British Psychological Society

Award Date: 1 May 2018

Master of Science, MSc Health Psychology, University of Bedfordshire

Award Date: 1 Nov 2010

Bachelor of Science in Psychology, BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical , University of Kent

Award Date: 1 Jul 2006

External positions

Senior Research Associate, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

6 May 2008 → …

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or