Nicola joined the University of Strathclyde in October 2017, following a career as a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead within NHS mental health services. She has over 15 years of NHS experience, specialising in the delivery of psychological support across a range of adult mental health settings. Nicola continues to hold an Honorary Consultant Clinical Psychologist post with NHS Lanarkshire. Her consultancy work has focused primarily on trauma-informed practice, particularly in relation to first responders and frontline workers.

She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psy) from the University of Edinburgh, a PhD in Psychological Science and MA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Glasgow. 

Nicola has a longstanding interest in supporting the transition from military to civilian life for veterans and their families, alongside emerging research in health behaviour change, with a specific focus on vaccine uptake. She also has a growing interest in the role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in enhancing mental health and wellbeing interventions.

Her research interests lie in the areas of mental health, psychotraumatology, wellbeing, recovery, and citizenship within applied health and social care contexts. She has a particular focus on frontline mental health, including trauma-exposed occupational groups such as first responders. Nicola is actively engaged in the development and evaluation of digital mental health interventions, with a growing interest in the application of artificial intelligence to psychotraumatology and trauma-informed care. Her methodological expertise includes psychometrics, mixed methods, and qualitative research. She is particularly committed to participatory and co-produced research approaches, and is an active member of the International Recovery and Citizenship Collective led by Yale Medical School, where she maintains strong collaborative links.

During her time at the University of Strathclyde, Nicola held a range of teaching and academic citizenship roles across both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She had a particular interest in teaching applied mental health and clinical practice, drawing on her extensive clinical experience to bring depth and relevance to her teaching. She employed a variety of pedagogical methods including didactic teaching, group work, role-play techniques, and the use of clinical case studies to enhance student engagement and learning.

Nicola held several leadership roles in teaching, including serving as Deputy Course Director for the MSc in Clinical Health Psychology, and as Class Leader for both the 4th Year Psychology of Mental Health and Professional Practice classes on the MSc programme. Her teaching contributions spanned a wide range of courses, including:

• Introduction to Mental Health Difficulties (2nd Year, Psychology and Counselling)

• Research Methods and Data Analysis (3rd Year, Psychology and Physical Activity for Health)

• Psychology of Mental Health (4th Year, Class Leader)

• Clinical Psychology Related to Medical Conditions (MSc in Clinical Health Psychology)

• Professional Practice (MSc in Clinical Health Psychology, Class Leader)

She also contributed to teaching within Social Policy and Social Work, specifically on the Mental Health Officer Practitioner Course and undergraduate Social Work programmes.

In addition to her role at Strathclyde, Nicola has taught at multiple institutions, including the University of Edinburgh and University of Glasgow, where she contributed to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) programmes through academic teaching and clinical supervision.

She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), reflecting her sustained commitment to teaching excellence and student learning.