Nicola joined the University in 2006; as Head of Funding and KE Development she is responsible for leadership relating to Research and Knowledge Exchange funding and the development of Knowledge Exchange (KE) activities. This includes budgetary responsibility for the work of the department, leading the strategic development of KE capabilities (including leading on preparation of the submissions for Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF), Higher Education, Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) Survey, Knowledge Exchange Concordat (KEC) and, alongside the External Funding Team Leader, for grant and contract income to award holders within the University and at relevant partner organisations. Nicola also works closely with colleagues in relation to the management, distribution and monitoring of Research England funding and internal Research and Knowledge Exchange budgets.

As part of her current priorities, Nicola leads on the activities relating to Workstream 3 of the University’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy that addresses Knowledge Exchange and contributes to the monitoring of Performance Indicator(s). This includes performance in the KEF and the University's emerging Public Engagement strategy.