Nina is a Principal Research Fellow at the Sidney De Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health. She recently completed a PhD at Liverpool Hope University, receiving a studentship award from Newman University. Her thesis is titled 'What are the Lived Experiences of Theatre Practice and Disability Among Professional Directors and Actors in Theatres Funded by Arts Council England? An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis'. Her findings propose stages in a process of engagement with theatre practice and disability for actors and directors, capturing steps towards routine and accurate onstage representation of disabled people. Previous degrees include a BA in Drama, First-Class Honours, from Newman University, and an MRes in Directing from University of Birmingham.
Nina has over 16-years employment experience in arts and media organisations. This included producing and presenting radio and film for an international media charity, creating and leading a music performance course, and directing performance work in theatres, schools, prisons and other community settings. She continues to work in collaboration with arts organisations and artists across Birmingham. Nina is passionate about impacting change towards equality, diversity and inclusion in the arts. This is shaped by personal experiences as a parent of three girls, two with physical and language impairments. Her particular interest is in researching lived experiences of disability and creative practice in arts and media industry settings.
Within the Research Centre, Nina is currently working a project evaluating the impact of sharing lived experiences of disability among NHS staff, with a particular interest in how creative media facilitates this in workplace settings. Other projects explore how theatre in education is supporting the mental health crisis among young people in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.