Personal profile
Area of academic expertise - outline
I am a health professional and interdisciplinary researcher, with specific interests in the interactions of health and the environment. With a background in nursing (adult health) and environmental science, my skills lie in bringing together knowledge and methodologies from different disciplines in order to tackle real-world problems. I have experience in managing and analysing large, complex datasets, and of carrying out mixed-methods research. My current research interests are in the areas of the effect of climate change on public health (including social and employment effects, transport and access to services) and the risks and benefits of blue/green space utilisation. My previous research focussed on micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy in Malawi, exploring the effects of the physical and socio-cultural environment on micronutrient health, through analysis of corresponding soil, crop and blood samples, as well as questionnaires and ethnographic qualitative observation and document analysis.
Desired research direction
I am open to collaborative projects of an interdisciplinary nature, particularly (though not exclusively) to those with a focus on health and the environment. As I have experience of working in a developing country, this is something I am keen to continue, however I also have an interest in public health research which aims to tackle inequalities within the Scottish context.
Current teaching activities and interests
I currently teach on the pre-registration BSc Adult Nursing programme, and have previously taught on the Masters in Public Health.
I am Module Coordinator for the BSc Dissertation Module, and am Site Lead for the Academic Skills Development Module.
Other areas of expertise available for knowledge exchange
Clinical Research
Current research activities
Member of the UWS Protracted Crisis Research Centre. https://www.uws.ac.uk/research/research-institutes-centres-groups/pcrc/
Member of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network
My current research collaborations (pending funding) are in the area of the effect of climate change on public health (including social and employment effects, transport and access to services). I am currently building a network of stakeholders to develop funding bids in the area of blue/green space regeneration and its health impacts.
I currently co-supervise a PhD student who is researching climate change-related health effects in Cameroon.
I am supervising a number of Masters student dissertations, primarily in the areas of infant/maternal health, including breastfeeding.
External positions
Member of British Academy ECR Network (Scotland), British Academy
22 May 2022 → …
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
29 Jun 2020 → …
NMC Registered Nurse (Adult)
30 Sept 2006 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A systematic review investigating emerging trends between Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) and infectious disease outbreaks in South Africa
Dickinson, N., Spencer, L., Miller, C., Nadesan-Reddy, N., Viriri, S., Shakir, M. Z., Gebreslasie, M., Ndzi, D., Mahomed, O., Naidoo, S., Lynch, M. & Henriquez, F. L., 16 Mar 2026, In: Frontiers in Public Health. 14, 12 p., 1778784.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
Extreme weather events in the UK and resulting public health outcomes
Dickinson, N., Spencer, L. H., Yang, S., Miller, C., Hursthouse, A. & Lynch, M., 29 May 2025, In: International Journal of Public Health. 70, 10 p., 1607904.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile25 Downloads (Pure) -
Having their cake and eating it too: an exploratory mixed-methods study on the dietary behaviours of family carers of persons with dementia
Smith, M., Dickinson, N., Sculthorpe, N., Ritchie, L. & Kimble, R., 23 Jul 2025, In: Dementia. 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile24 Downloads (Pure) -
Warning system for extreme weather events, awareness technology for healthcare, equitable delivery, and resilience (WEATHER) project: a mixed methods research study protocol
Lynch, M., Harris, F., Ierna, M., Mahomed, O., Henriquez-Mui, F., Gebreslasie, M., Ndzi, D., Viriri, S., Shakir, M. Z., Dickinson, N., Miller, C., Hursthouse, A., Nadesan-Reddy, N., Nkwanyana, F., Spencer, L. H. & Naidoo, S., 21 Aug 2025, In: Climate. 13, 8, 16 p., 170.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile30 Downloads (Pure) -
Community Wellbeing and The Coast: An Executive Summary for the Great Harbour Project, North Ayrshire Council
Dickinson, N., Duffy, P. M., Hasan, S., Rodgers, K. & Smith, K., 31 Aug 2023, Irvine: North Ayrshire Council. 7 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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NIHR grant 204825 'Warning system for Extreme weather events, Awareness Technology for Healthcare, Equitable delivery, and Resilience (WEATHER)' launch
Miller, C. (Participant), Dickinson, N. (Invited speaker), Lynch, M. (Invited speaker) & Henriquez-Mui, F. (Invited speaker)
3 Feb 2025 → 7 Feb 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference
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UWS Crucible 2023
Dickinson, N. (Invited speaker)
24 Jan 2023 → 24 Mar 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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British Academy ECR Network Scotland Launch Event
Dickinson, N. (Participant)
25 Oct 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
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NIHR PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) (Publisher)
Lynch, M. (Peer reviewer), Miller, C. (Peer reviewer), Dickinson, N. (Peer reviewer) & Hursthouse, A. (Peer reviewer)
5 Sept 2022 → 30 Jun 2023Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work › Publication peer-review
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Wellcome Trust Climate Change Effects on Maternal and Child Health
Dickinson, N. (Participant)
15 Jun 2022Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in workshop, seminar, course