Samuel Nyman

Dr. Samuel Nyman is a Reader and Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Winchester, joining in 2022. His academic journey includes a MSc and PhD in Applied Health Psychology from the University of Southampton, followed by postdoctoral research at the University of Reading. He held roles at Bournemouth University, including NIHR Career Development Fellow (2016–2018) and NIHR Clinical Trials Fellow (2019), where he led the TACIT Trial on Tai Chi for dementia patients. His research focuses on applied health psychology, behavior change in aging populations, and falls prevention. He has over £1.8M in external funding, including leadership in randomized controlled trials and interdisciplinary collaborations. Editor of the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (2020–2022), he has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles and a major handbook on physical activity promotion. His work bridges gerontology, psychology, and clinical practice, with notable contributions to dementia care, Tai Chi interventions, and public policy advocacy.

Education: MSc and PhD in Applied Health Psychology from University of Southampton. Professional memberships include Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Chartered Psychologist (British Psychological Society). He has supervised 7 PhD students in geriatrics and dementia care, emphasizing mixed-methods research. Awards include NIHR fellowships and editorial leadership in top journals. Current roles include NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Committee membership and leadership in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing.

Research trends in his articles emphasize Tai Chi's role in dementia care, falls prevention strategies for aging populations, and qualitative insights into behavior change. His work addresses systemic barriers in healthcare delivery and promotes person-centered interventions. Awards include NIHR fellowships and editorial leadership in top journals. Grants include funding from MRC, ESRC, and NHS partnerships.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the PRIMENT Clinical Trials Unit (UCL), Clinical Research Unit at Bournemouth University, and interdisciplinary teams in geriatrics, sociology, and statistics.