Nicola Cullum

Nicola Cullum, DBE, PhD, is a Professor of Nursing at the University of Manchester within the Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences. She leads the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for Greater Manchester (NIHR ARC-GM) since October 2019, focusing on multidisciplinary research addressing mental health, healthy ageing, digital health, and health inequalities. She also serves as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the School of Health Sciences, Director of Healthier Futures (an interdisciplinary platform addressing health disparities), and Director of Manchester’s Academic Health Science Centre.

• Education: BSc in Pharmacology (University of Liverpool, 1984), Registered General Nurse (1985), PhD in Pharmacology (University of Liverpool, 1990).
• External roles: Honorary Professor at University of Melbourne (2019–present), Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (2016–present), University of Queensland (2014–2017), and former roles at University of York and Griffith University.

Her research interests emphasize applied health research, including wound care, health system efficiency, and reducing health inequalities. Notably, she has pioneered studies on compression therapies for venous leg ulcers and led the Cochrane Wounds Group until 2023, producing over 150 influential systematic reviews. Her work also spans methodological approaches like mixed methods, evidence synthesis, and qualitative research.

Her articles reflect a focus on wound care advancements and healthcare system challenges, with recent studies examining nursing workforce distribution and mental health inpatient care for dementia patients. These contributions highlight her commitment to translating research into policy and practice.

• Awards: DBE (2013), Anne Anderson Award (2016), European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel Achievement Award (2006), and Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (2012).

She actively supervises BNurs (Hons) dissertations and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, such as the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and the Greater Manchester CLAHRC. Her leadership in funding panels (e.g., NIHR Health Technology Assessment Commissioning Board) underscores her role in shaping research priorities.

Key collaborations include work in the UK and internationally, with a network spanning institutions like the University of Surrey, Cochrane Collaboration, and NHS Trusts. She contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to health equity and innovation.