PROF NICHOLA RUMSEY OBE

I am a Health Psychologist specialising in the psychology of appearance.  I offer advice and consultancy to governments, professional bodies, charities and the media in the UK and internationally.

Professor Nichola Rumsey is recognised worldwide by researchers, health professionals, charities, health services, policy makers, governments and individuals affected by appearance concerns as THE international authority on the psychosocial aspects of living with an altered appearance.  Prof Philippa Diedrichs.

I have extensive experience in public speaking to a wide range of academic and lay audiences and to the media in the UK and countries across the world. Further details here. I develop, deliver and facilitate workshops and training to groups from business, lay-led organisations, health care professionals and the general public. Additional details here. I also have extensive experience of mentoring and supervision at a one-to-one and group level.

Nichola is a fluent and engaging speaker, putting over cogent and well-argued messages capable of winning over cynical audiences. Christopher Ward; Consultant Plastic Surgeon & author.

I founded The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) at the University of the West of England in 1997 and was its Co-Director until 2017 (https://www.uwe.ac.uk/research/centres-and-groups/appearance).  CAR is currently the largest Centre in the world specialising in this field of research,  comprising 37 members of academic staff, Research Fellows and postgraduate students.  I was designated the leading world expert in the psychology of visible difference (disfigurement) in 2004 and currently hold the title of Professor Emerita of Appearance Psychology at UWE.  I have attracted over £9m in grant funding for research and have published widely in the field.  My recent publications are listed here ‘Recent Publications’.  I have led and continue to participate in several EU funded projects and was the Chair of the EU funded COST Action IS1210 “Appearance Matters” (a network of researchers and practitioners from 35 European countries) from 2013-2017 (www.cost.eu).  Honours, indicators of esteem, professional leadership roles and subject advocacy activities are listed here ‘Honours/Indicators of Esteem’.

Hundreds of organisations worldwide have benefitted from Prof Rumsey’s insights.  Through them – and directly too – she has made a major difference to those whose appearance is unusual or does not match up to the norms of today’s appearance-obsessed society.  A national and international expert, she stands out as an exceptional academic leader and role model. Prof James Partridge OBE, CEO Face Equality International

I was appointed OBE in 2016 for services to people with disfigurement.