I personally have benefitted from her supportive and encouraging style and the success of those she mentors is apparent as the literature is littered with the names of those who have been lucky enough to benefit from her supervision and guidance.
Dr. Nicholas Sharratt. PhD student.
Nicky Rumsey is an experienced mentor and supervisor. Her ability to motivate and support students working at every level is unparalleled. The admiration, affection and respect she draws from those around her is testament to both her outstanding career achievements and the sincerity with which she cares for others. I am certain that I would be a less effective researcher and a less accomplished person had I not had the opportunity to flourish under her supervision.
Dr. Nicola Stock. Senior Research Fellow
MENTORING & SUPERVISION
Nichola was the founder and Director of The Centre for Appearance Research (CAR) at UWE in 1992. More than a million people in the UK have an unusual appearance as the result of a birth anomaly, trauma or disease. This ‘difference’ can have significant impacts on their wellbeing and quality of life. People with an unusual appearance are more likely to experience staring, unwanted attention, stigma and prejudice. These experiences increase the risk of anxiety depression, poor body image and difficulties with interpersonal relationships.
Appearance concerns are not limited to those living with a visible difference. More than 80% of the general population are unhappy with their looks and in our appearance-obsessed society, these concerns are not benign. Extensive negative impacts on wellbeing, mental health and social functioning, together with associations with behaviours known to compromise physical health, including smoking and disordered eating, are now well established.
Nicky is responsible for developing CAR from a 3 person collaboration into a thriving research centre with a high performing team of 30 researchers. As CAR’s reputation, research outputs, REF impact case studies and funding track record attest, CAR is the world leading research centre for appearance and body image research…..members of the Centre and visitors to CAR frequently comment on what a supportive, collaborative and invigorating research and learning environment CAR provides. Without doubt, Nicky’s leadership has been at the core of creating this environment and has been essential to building the supportive and passionate team of researchers in CAR.
CAR has led the world in developing and extending knowledge in this field, working to bring about important changes to policy, healthcare provision in efforts to make a difference to the lives of many millions of people worldwide.
CAR is, quite simply, the centre of the Universe for anyone in the world researching in this field. The breadth and quality of their work is second to none. Professor Lina Riciardelli, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.
During her years as Director and latterly, Co-Director of CAR, Nichola has mentored and supervised researchers from the UK and around the world, establishing a reputation as an excellent mentor and trainer.
I really wanted to let you know how much your support, encouragement and enthusiasm have meant to me over the wonderful year I spent at CAR. It is a magical place, unlike any other research institution I have known. Dr. Zali Yager. Leverhume Fellow. La Trobe University, Melbourne.