Nikki Garner

Nikki Garner is a Research Fellow at Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, with active roles in the Lifespan Health and Nutrition and Preventive Medicine research groups. She holds a PhD in Health Psychology from the University of Exeter (2023), a Doctorate in Health Psychology from the British Psychological Society (2018), an MSc in Health Psychology from the University of Bedfordshire (2010), and a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Clinical from the University of Kent (2006).

• PhD in Health Psychology – University of Exeter (2023)
• Doctorate in Health Psychology (C Psychol) – British Psychological Society (2018)
• MSc in Health Psychology – University of Bedfordshire (2010)
• BSc (Hons) Psychology with Clinical – University of Kent (2006)

Her research focuses on health psychology and behavioural science, particularly in lifestyle behaviour change, nutrition-related eating behaviours, physical activity, and weight management to promote healthy ageing. She applies these principles across diverse health domains including diabetes prevention, dementia, cognitive health, falls prevention, menopause, and sexual health. Her expertise includes designing and evaluating complex behavioural interventions, service evaluations, systematic reviews, and qualitative research methods such as interviews and focus groups.

Her recent publications highlight high-impact work in diabetes prevention and dementia risk reduction, including randomized controlled trials and review articles published in journals like JAMA Internal Medicine, BMC Medicine, and BMJ Open. These studies examine interventions involving lifestyle changes, peer mentorship, and multi-domain approaches to improve health outcomes in at-risk populations.

Nikki is a Registered Health Psychologist (HCPC), a Registered Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a full member of its Division of Health Psychology. She also holds a EuroPsy certificate.

She is involved in teaching and training at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on equipping healthcare professionals and students with communication skills and theoretical knowledge in behaviour change. Her current research projects include grant development for the PILLOW study and an exploration of the lived experience of menopause and obesity, funded by NHS Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care Board.

She is affiliated with the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as a Senior Research Associate and collaborates extensively with NHS, government, and local authorities on public health initiatives.