Nicola is a former journalist, working in print, radio and TV and is the Programme Lead on the College’s HND Creative Media Production (VFX) course.
Nicola joined the College as a part-time lecturer in 2000, initially teaching print and radio journalism. Since becoming a full-time lecturer, she has taught on various media, TV, film, games and VFX courses from Levels 1 to Level 6.
Students studying with Nicola have worked on several big projects that have led to national awards, although seeing those under her guidance make their way into the industry is what Nicola is most proud of.
As a student herself, Nicola studied history at the University of Oxford but always knew she wanted to be a journalist. Upon leaving university, she joined an in-house training scheme and holds a Westminster Press Diploma in Journalism.
Nicola’s career has involved roles as a reporter and a producer, and she was working as a regional TV reporter for the BBC when it launched its first 24-hour rolling news service. She has also worked on media and communication strategies for a number of PR agencies.
Nicola’s best advice to students would simply be to make something. She explained: “Pick up a camera, tell me a story, edit some footage. And be ready to extend your viewing outside your comfort zone. We learn by doing, but only if we can compare that to the library of experiences already in our heads. The ability to tell stories is what makes us human. Whether you are writing a script, filming a scene or developing sound design, you are essentially trying to connect with people. That's powerful.”
In her spare time, Nicola is a voracious reader and also enjoys being in the open air, particularly near the coast.
