Vicky Nicholls
London
Summary
Masters-qualified social researcher with extensive third sector and academic experience. Contributed to impactful mental health research through leadership in service user and carer involvement, ensuring inclusive and co-produced studies. Managed diverse project teams while developing strong interpersonal relationships and facilitating effective communication.
Fully trained Homestart volunteer, therefore skilled to support families facing struggles with daily living tasks. Voluntary experience in school roles for young children working 1:1 to support literacy development. Personal lived experience of mental health issues. 12 years’ volunteer experience supporting young people undertaking Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award expeditions on Dartmoor. Recent experience of public-facing roles in retail industry.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
senior researcher
University of Birmingham
Birmingham
04.2017 - 02.2026
- Contributed to all aspects of evaluation of Family and Group Conferencing (FGC) in adult mental health and social care, post successful bid for funding.
- One of UK-wide team. Undertook systematic review of international evidence concerning how FGCs work and their application across various settings and contexts. Organised participant recruitment; carried out interviews and ensured safe and confidential recording and storage; arranged transcription; developed programme theory; key team member analysing transcripts using iterations of thematic analysis framework; contributed to three published academic papers.
- Demonstrated analytical and strategical thinking to research projects.
- Authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, contributing significantly to the field's knowledge base.
- Attended relevant meetings, events and conferences to build relationships.
- Conducted daily admin duties to keep organised and on schedule.
- Negotiated access to research sites and populations, establishing productive relationships with key stakeholders.
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations in research, adhering strictly to protocols and guidelines.
senior research assistant
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, Hertfordshire
05.2025 - 09.2025
- Assisted in preparation of research documents including participant information sheets, consent forms, and draft questionnaires.
- Supported establishment of patient and carer involvement group by facilitating meetings.
- Collaborated with project lead and team members to design literature review addressing international evidence on access to health and social care for individuals with atypical parkinsonian syndrome.
- Conducted initial stages of literature review and reported findings to project steering group.
- Attended conferences to learn about new research and present findings.
- Coordinated with senior researchers to design research methodologies, ensuring adherence to project objectives.
- Reviewed academic literature to identify research gaps, guiding the direction of future studies.
user and carer involvement coordinator
University College London
London
03.2017 - 12.2023
- Facilitated formation of lived experience working group for mental health service users and carers.
- Assisted in induction process and supported regular meetings, both in-person and online.
- Established connections between group members and academic research staff.
- Managed challenging behaviour sensitively, adopting a person-centred approach.
- Managed challenging behaviour sensitively, employing de-escalation techniques to maintain a calm environment.
- Participated in training sessions, continuously improving care techniques and knowledge.
parental involvement advisor
University College London
London
04.2021 - 03.2022
- Supported user involvement in a study examining reasons for high school absence in children with autism post-pandemic.
- Assisted in bringing together parents of children with autism through key autism charities for research contributions.
- Facilitated development of research tools, survey distribution, and participation in a national online dissemination event.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients through regular, meaningful communication, building trust and loyalty.
- Fostered strong relationships with clients through regular updates and transparent communication.
senior researcher
London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine
09.2016 - 11.2016
- Spearheaded qualitative component of mixed-method evaluations addressing challenges and drivers of change in portfolio of international mental health innovations funded by Grand Challenges Canada.
- Facilitated understanding of mechanisms of change resulting from programme implementation.
- Led research recruitment and interviewing of project leads across stratified sample of innovations, ensuring diverse geographical and demographic representation.
- Demonstrated analytical and strategical thinking to research projects.
- Attended relevant meetings, events and conferences to build relationships.
- Produced accurate supporting documentation and materials for research activities, including presentations and reports.
- Negotiated access to research sites and populations, establishing productive relationships with key stakeholders.
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations in research, adhering strictly to protocols and guidelines.
- Conducted daily admin duties to keep organised and on schedule.
- Collected, fact-checked and presented information to provide research accuracy.
- Executed 15 comprehensive interviews, both virtually and in person, ensuring thorough documentation of insights.
- Collaborated with team members on analysis of interviews, contributing to development of a robust theory of change framework.
Freelance researcher, development and later life programme
Mental Health Foundation
London
03.2015 - 12.2015
- Worked closely with Head of Mental Health in Later Life programme in order to co-lead research in partnership research project investigating relationship between people living with dementia and nature, working with Natural England, Dementia Adventure and Innovations in Dementia.
- Findings published by Natural England.
senior researcher, pregnancy and medication research project
McPin Foundation
London
03.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed user-led research project, re factors influencing the decision-making processes of women with severe mental health problems taking psychotropic medication when becoming pregnant.
- Picked up project after previous lead left.
- Responsibilities included: establishing and developing sound relationships with peer research team of women with similar experience to research participants; ensuring project management ran smoothly; supporting management of relationship with partner university; arranging and completing face-to-face interviews alongside peer researchers; co-developing framework for analysis with team, coding data into NVivo 10, analysing interviews, contributing to final report.
- Contributing to draft leaflet for practitioners on care-centred approach.
Part-time senior researcher, family-focused interventions in mental health project
Institute of Applied Social Studies, University of Birmingham
Birmingham
03.2011 - 01.2014
- Key member of University of Birmingham-managed research team in national project evaluating models of family-focused interventions in the reablement of adults with mental health problems.
- Co-wrote successful funding bid to National Institute of Health Research (NIHR).
- Contributed to ethics approval process.
- Carried out interviews with service users, family members and staff across 4 sites.
- Co-analysed results and contributed to final report.
Senior researcher, African Caribbean family carers and dementia project
University of Manchester
Manchester
04.2013 - 07.2013
- Analyst for qualitative research study led by Dr Dawn Edge funded by Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing (MICRA).
- Study explored African Caribbean family carers’ attitudes to ageing and dementia.
- Role entailed: reviewing transcripts of 17 qualitative interviews; developing thematic framework; setting up and applying analysis framework in NVivo9; writing report for Project Lead and funders.
Network coordinator
National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum
09.2009 - 03.2011
- Built up network of spiritual care leads (SCLs) in Mental Health Trusts across England; coordinated events including national conference attended by 100 people; developed and maintained website; compiled evidence base for positive role of spirituality in recovery from mental distress; undertook survey of SCLs’ views on priorities for providing spiritual care; scoped funders for continuation monies.
- Founding member of Forum; successful funding bid to Department of Health.
- Http://www.spiritualitymentalhealth.org.uk/
Joint coordinator
Social Perspectives Network for modern Mental Health
08.2005 - 12.2009
- Ran Parental Mental Health and Child Welfare Network, national network for practitioners working with families affected by parental mental ill-health.
- Supported multi-stakeholder steering group including parents with experience of mental health difficulties, academics, regional CAMHS staff, child and family psychiatrists.
- Helped develop cross-organisation statement on recovery with Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP), Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Care Services Improvement Partnership.
- Contributed to evaluation of Delivering Race Equality programme ambassadors.
Strategies for Living II Project Manager / Research Support Worker
Mental Health Foundation
02.1998 - 07.2005
- Project managed innovative user-led national research support project working with people with experience of mental health problems to carry out their own research.
- Role included: managing UK-wide team network of support workers with own experience of distress; training others in qualitative research skills; developing and running training for trainers programme; coordinating project planning and completion to tight deadlines.
- As support worker, trained and supported service users working with local organisations to develop and carry out own research.
- As project manager, coordinated and edited report reviewing second phase of project and promoted this at an end-of-programme launch event.
Regional Information Officer
South East Mind
London
11.1992 - 12.1996
- Main duties: being responsible for providing an online – and telephone-based information service, mainly directed at local Mind Associations but also available for enquirers experiencing mental or emotional distress.
Assistant Director
Greater London Association of Community Health Councils
London
09.1989 - 07.1991
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining positive relationships with local Community Health Councils (CHCs); coordinating and editing monthly newsletter; coordinating and running regular London-wide events.
Researcher, DAARE Project
Greater London MENCAP
07.1987 - 08.1989
- Two-year applied research project. With team, set up and carried out home-based interviews with families of children with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviours.
Activities coordinator, New Day Project
Newham Health Authority New Day Project
Education
Postgraduate diploma - infant mental health
Tavistock Centre
01-2012
MSc - Health and Social Care
University of North London
01-1996
BSc - Psychology and Sociology
University of Southampton
01-1985
A Levels - French, English, Biology
Reigate College
01-1981
O Levels - including Maths and English
Crown Woods School
01-1979
Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Public speaking
- Interpersonal skills
- Coordination and event organization
- Active listening
- Mental health policy knowledge
- Confidentiality and data management
- Digital filing systems
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Deadline management
- Self-management
- Workload prioritization
- Workshop and group facilitation
- In-depth interviewing
- Qualitative and quantitative research
- Data collection and survey design
- Statistical methods
Custom Section
2026-04-01
Hobbies and Interests
- Love walking, as much as possible.
- Love drawing and creative writing.
- Enjoy editing publications when given the opportunity.
- Go swimming regularly, indoor and outdoor pools.
- Enjoy socialising with friends and family, reading, going to the cinema, holidays, and birdsong.
Languages
French
Intermediate
B1
Timeline
senior research assistant
University of Hertfordshire
05.2025 - 09.2025
parental involvement advisor
University College London
04.2021 - 03.2022
senior researcher
University of Birmingham
04.2017 - 02.2026
user and carer involvement coordinator
University College London
03.2017 - 12.2023
senior researcher
London School Of Hygiene And Tropical Medicine
09.2016 - 11.2016
Freelance researcher, development and later life programme
Mental Health Foundation
03.2015 - 12.2015
senior researcher, pregnancy and medication research project
McPin Foundation
03.2014 - 01.2015
Senior researcher, African Caribbean family carers and dementia project
University of Manchester
04.2013 - 07.2013
Part-time senior researcher, family-focused interventions in mental health project
Institute of Applied Social Studies, University of Birmingham
03.2011 - 01.2014
Network coordinator
National Spirituality and Mental Health Forum
09.2009 - 03.2011
Joint coordinator
Social Perspectives Network for modern Mental Health
08.2005 - 12.2009
Strategies for Living II Project Manager / Research Support Worker
Mental Health Foundation
02.1998 - 07.2005
Regional Information Officer
South East Mind
11.1992 - 12.1996
Assistant Director
Greater London Association of Community Health Councils
09.1989 - 07.1991
Researcher, DAARE Project
Greater London MENCAP
07.1987 - 08.1989
Activities coordinator, New Day Project
Newham Health Authority New Day Project
Postgraduate diploma - infant mental health
Tavistock Centre
MSc - Health and Social Care
University of North London
BSc - Psychology and Sociology
University of Southampton
A Levels - French, English, Biology
Reigate College
O Levels - including Maths and English
Crown Woods School