Nikki has a background in Clinical Exercise Physiology and Public Health. She joined the Department for Health in 2011. She deputises for the Director of Studies on the Professional Doctorate in Health programme as well as teaching on this programme, and the undergraduate programme in Exercise and Health Science, predominantly in relation to evidence based practice and inequalities in Health . This has been informed by her 12-year career working in Public Health and her previous posts at the University of Bristol in the Academic Unit of Primary Care, the University of West England and University of Wales.  She has over 25 years' experience of teaching in higher education institutions

Nikki has extensive experience in working with Primary Care.  Her research interests lie in evidence-based practice and the utility and translation of this into the real world. Her work continues to include designing, implementing and conducting key pieces or research nationally and internationally, aimed at addressing inequalities in health and cardiovascular disease. Some of Nikki’s work has involved working closely with Commissioners of Primary Care Services, Public Health Departments, Public Health England, and Primary Care and Charities both nationally and internationally. She has been invited to present key messages on alcohol at the House of Commons and advising Government Policy advisors on approaches to addressing inequalities in health among vulnerable groups. Nikki also has an interest in the role of physical activity in preventing, reducing and treating poor health, as well as the maintenance of health and wellbeing. Nikki heads up a research group that includes the University of Cardiff and Exeter addressing inequalities in health in older people. She is also a member of the Health Later Living Network https://sway.office.com/A4J0gd0J6jLqk8Ma?ref=Link. Nikki is involved in international projects relating to inequalities in health.

Research interests

• Evidence Based Practice
• Primary Care
• Public Health
• Inequalities in Health nationally and internationally
• Physical Activity and Health
• Older People

Current projects

• Inequaliteis in older people: A time for action
• Inequalities in older people: A plan for action
• Inequalities in older people: A place for action
• Community - Based Cross-sector Network for the Management of Mental Health Problems and Disorders Associated With Forced Displacement Due to Armed Conflict in the municipality of Soacha (Pilot study)’ (http://investigacion.unal.edu.co/servicios/convocatorias/convocatorias-internas/convocatorias-2017-2018/sesquicentenario/)

• Effectiveness of Anapana, Body scan and Metta meditation techniques on chronic neck and shoulder region pain and disability in adult patients in Sri Lanka.: study protocol for a cluster clinic-level parallel randomised controlled trial.

• The barriers and facilitators to the implementation of emergency and medium-term health interventions in populations living in areas of repeat flooding in Kogi State, Nigeria.

• Can the role of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists be enhanced to include the delivery of brief weight management advice for weight loss in men and women with a musculoskeletal condition, aged 50-79 years and who have a BMI ≥ 25

• An exploration of Irish therapists’ awareness of the potential benefits of physical activity as an adjunct treatment to counselling for those who present with depression or anxiety.

• A comparison of usual care physiotherapy,
  a pedometer-based walking intervention and
  a combination of both to treat patients suffering from nociceptive or neuropathic chronic lower back pain:

  A Randomised Controlled Trial

Research funding

• NIHR School of Primary Care
• Public Health Bristol
• Public Health England
• Higher Education Research Development Association (south west)
• Avon Primary Care Research Collaborative
• Alcohol Concern
• Skin cancer foundation
• GW4
• UNAL, Colombia