Nicola Holt

Nicola Holt is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of the West of England's Department of Health and Social Sciences. She holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Durham, an MSc in Consciousness Studies and Transpersonal Psychology from Liverpool JM University, a PhD in Creativity and anomalous experiences from the University of Northampton, a Foundation in Art Psychotherapy from Sheffield NHS Trust, and a PGCHE from UWE.

Her research focuses on two interconnected domains: the relationship between creativity and schizotypy (particularly 'positive schizotypy' phenomena like magical thinking), and arts-based wellbeing interventions. She specializes in Experience Sampling Methodology to track psychological changes in real-world settings, examining impacts of activities like mindfulness coloring and arts-on-prescription workshops.

Holt leads the DRAW (Delivering and Researching the Arts for Wellbeing) group within the Psychological Sciences Research Group and maintains collaborations with Bristol Arts on Referral Alliance, Southmead Hospital, Arnolfini Gallery, and MShed Bristol. Current projects include an Arts Council-funded evaluation of arts referrals in healthcare and an AHRC-supported study on art interventions for children in conflict-affected Kashmir.

She teaches undergraduate modules in Psychology in Action, Identities in Psychology, and Arts and Mental Health, supervising student research in these areas. Holt also holds editorial positions as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Arts & Health and Associate Editor for the International Journal of Art Therapy.